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

According to a report by Arise News on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has defended his controversial “AK-47 fire” remark directed at political opponents, insisting that his statement expressed a wish rather than a threat to shoot anyone.

Tenebe offered the clarification in an interview published by Tribune Online on October 10, 2026, during which he also made provocative comments about former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate.

Explaining his earlier statement, the Edo APC chairman compared the expression “AK-47 fire” to the Christian phrase “Holy Ghost fire,” which is commonly used in prayers against perceived enemies. He argued that his critics had misunderstood his words and insisted that he had not threatened to shoot anyone because of their political affiliations.

“I was only wishing it on them,” Tenebe said, defending his choice of words and questioning why critics considered the expression unacceptable while similar religious phrases were widely used.

He further explained that his reference was to the fire produced when an AK-47 rifle is discharged rather than the bullet itself. According to him, the statement was not intended as an endorsement of an actual attack on opposition politicians.

However, Tenebe’s comments extended beyond the disputed remark, with the APC chairman making additional hostile statements about prominent opposition figures.

He said he would spit in Atiku’s face if they encountered each other and expressed particular hostility towards Obi, threatening to bite the former Anambra State governor’s nose and ear if they came close to one another.

The remarks have drawn attention to the tone of political exchanges between members of the ruling party and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tenebe also accused opposition politicians of concentrating on criticising President Bola Tinubu rather than engaging in substantive discussions about policies and governance.

Meanwhile, he defended the APC’s electoral ambition to secure 2.5 million votes for Tinubu in Edo State during the January 2027 presidential election.

His comments highlight the increasingly heated political rhetoric surrounding preparations for the forthcoming elections. While Tenebe maintains that his “AK-47 fire” remark was not a literal threat, his statements about Atiku and Obi have further intensified scrutiny of his language towards political opponents.

As political activities gather momentum, the controversy raises questions about the role of party leaders in maintaining responsible public discourse during electoral campaigns.

Onesmart feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com