The Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tenebe, has openly declared his hatred for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while issuing provocative remarks against opposition politicians critical of President Bola Tinubu.
Tenebe made the statements during a media interview in which he defended the policies of the Tinubu administration and explained his controversial “AK-47 fire” comment.
The APC chieftain also threatened to spit in the faces of Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is identified in the report as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tenebe said he would not hesitate to confront opposition figures over their criticisms of Tinubu and his administration.
“If I see them, I will spit in their faces,” he said.
He singled out Obi for particularly harsh criticism, declaring that his opposition to the former Anambra State governor was personal. Tenebe accused Obi of being insincere and questioned the political compatibility between Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, whom the report identifies as his running mate under the NDC.
“As for Obi, I hate him, and I maintain that. If I see him, I will spit in his face and bite his nose. I will pretend that I want to tell him something, then bite his ear and chew it. Take it like that. I hate him,” Tenebe said.
The remarks, which featured violent and confrontational language, underscored the growing hostility in political exchanges involving supporters of the ruling party and opposition figures ahead of the next electoral contest.
Tenebe also questioned the basis of the reported political partnership between Obi and Kwankwaso, arguing that their perceived differences on certain issues could undermine their ability to work together effectively.
He cited what he described as conflicting positions on alcohol consumption as an example of the differences between the two politicians. According to him, such disagreements raised questions about their compatibility and capacity to govern the country jointly.
However, the comments reflected Tenebe’s personal assessment of the opposition figures and did not, by themselves, establish that the politicians could not work together.
The Edo APC chairman’s remarks came as political leaders and party loyalists continued to defend their preferred candidates and criticise opponents over competing visions for Nigeria’s future.
While political disagreement and robust criticism are common features of democratic competition, Tenebe’s choice of language went beyond policy-based criticism, focusing instead on personal hostility and threats of physical confrontation.
His comments are likely to attract reactions from supporters of Obi and other opposition politicians, particularly amid heightened political tensions.
The controversy also raises questions about the tone of political discourse in Nigeria, where party leaders are influential in shaping the conduct and attitudes of their supporters.
As political activities intensify, the exchange highlights the importance of issue-based debate, in which political parties and their leaders are challenged to defend their policies and records without resorting to personal threats or inflammatory language.
