The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to intimidate voters ahead of the 2027 general elections following an alleged AK-47 threat by the APC chairman in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe.

The ADC’s reaction followed a viral video in which Tenebe reportedly referred to “AK-47 fire” against anyone who attempted to frustrate the APC’s plan to secure 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Reacting to the alleged statement, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council described it as inflammatory, inciting and capable of creating fear among voters ahead of the election.

In a statement issued in Abuja by the council’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC expressed concern that a state chairman of a ruling political party could allegedly threaten Nigerians with firearms over their voting choices.

The council said it expected the APC leadership and President Tinubu to condemn the alleged remark or demand its retraction, but claimed that no such action had been taken.

The ADC therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the alleged statement and invite Tenebe for questioning.

The opposition party also linked the controversy to a reported attack on its members and destruction of vehicles belonging to ADC supporters at Gegu in Koton Karfi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The ADC described the alleged threat and the reported attack as signs of political intimidation that could undermine the 2027 electoral process.

ADC: We Have PVCs, Not AK-47s

The ADC has insisted that it would not be intimidated by threats, declaring that its response to the 2027 election would be through the ballot box.

Speaking at an enlarged senatorial meeting in Ewohimi, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State, where candidates for the state and National Assembly elections in Edo Central were unveiled, ADC leaders said the party would rely on Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to challenge the APC.

Former Edo State governor and ADC national leader, Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor, represented at the event by former governorship aspirant Kenneth Imansuagbon, said the party was mobilising Nigerians to vote out the APC in 2027.

Imansuagbon said the ADC had the people and their PVCs rather than firearms, expressing confidence that voters would resist any attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

Edo ADC Chairman Tony Alile similarly said no amount of threats would discourage citizens from exercising their constitutional right to vote.

The ADC leadership urged voters to remain committed to democratic participation and called on security agencies to investigate the alleged threat and the reported Kogi attack.

The controversy has added to growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties increasingly raising concerns about intimidation, political violence and the need for credible and peaceful elections.