Tenebe Defends AK-47 Fire Remark: I Was Only Wishing It on Them, Vows to Spit on Atiku, Bite Obi

Jarrett Tenebe, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, has defended his controversial “AK-47 fire” remark against political opponents, insisting that he was expressing a wish rather than threatening to shoot anyone.

According to a report by Arise News on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Tenebe maintained that his statement had been misunderstood by critics, arguing that he did not threaten to use a firearm against anyone who opposed his party.

The clarification followed an interview published by Tribune Online on October 10, 2026, in which the Edo APC chairman also made provocative remarks about former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

During the interview, Tenebe reportedly said he would spit in Atiku’s face and bite Obi’s ear if either politician came close to him, further drawing attention to his comments about opposition figures.

Explaining his earlier “AK-47 fire” remark, Tenebe compared the expression with the Christian phrase “Holy Ghost fire,” which is commonly used in prayers against perceived enemies. He argued that his words should be understood as an expression of a wish rather than a declaration of an intention to attack political opponents.

“I was only wishing it on them,” Tenebe said, defending his choice of words.

He questioned the criticism directed at his statement, suggesting that people who considered the expression inappropriate should also examine the use of “Holy Ghost fire” in religious settings.

The APC chairman further argued that his reference was to the fire produced when an AK-47 rifle is discharged, rather than the bullet fired from the weapon. He used the distinction to support his explanation that he had not threatened to shoot his political opponents.

Tenebe insisted that he had not advocated an actual attack against anyone because of their political affiliation or opposition to the APC. He maintained that critics had interpreted his statement differently from what he intended.

However, his explanation has kept attention on the language used during political exchanges, particularly when party officials address individuals associated with rival political parties.

Atiku and Obi are prominent opposition figures, and Tenebe’s remarks have placed his language towards them at the centre of the discussion surrounding his interview.

Despite defending his “AK-47 fire” expression, the Edo APC chairman said political campaigns should focus on ideas rather than insults. His position highlights the distinction between the campaign approach he advocated and the confrontational language attributed to him during the interview.

Tenebe has maintained that his earlier statement was a wish, not a threat to shoot anyone. However, his explanation represents his own interpretation of the remark, while his reported comments about Atiku and Obi have added to the debate over the tone of political discourse.

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