Amnesty International Nigeria has asked security agencies in Nigeria to probe and hold accountable politicians, who threaten to unleash political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amnesty disclosed this in a statement posted on its verified Facebook account on Saturday, after reported comments by the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Jarret Tenebe.
Amnesty International, said Tenebe was quoted as threatening to invoke the “power of AK-47” against individuals allegedly working to frustrate the APC’s plan to secure 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“Tenebe made the threat during a campaign rally in Edo State, where political violence is already rampant,” Amnesty International said.
The rights group queried the response of Nigeria’s security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to what it described as public threats of violence by politicians.
It stated that such statements were being made “in utter disregard for the rule of law and the nation’s Electoral Act.”
Amnesty International appealed to the relevant security agencies to see to it that politicians and other leaders, no matter their political affiliation, are held accountable for acts or statements that incite, threaten or promote politically, religiously or ethnically motivated violence.
AI noted that accountability should extend to anyone responsible for carrying out or encouraging violence or human rights abuses before, during and after the 2027 elections.
