Jarrett Tenebe Arrested Over Illegal Firearm Possession & INEC Office Invasion.

Summary:

• In the run-up to the Edo State House of Assembly election, APC Deputy Chairman Jarrett Tenebe has been arrested on charges of illegal firearm possession and an INEC office invasion.
• The arrest, allegedly ordered by the Edo State Deputy Governor, has heightened political tensions in the region.
• The APC has accused the state government of planning to rig the election using disguised thugs, while some argue that the arrest aims to disrupt the APC’s mobilization efforts.

EDO STATE, Nigeria (MandyNews) – In a surprising development just two days before the crucial Edo State House of Assembly election, Jarrett Tenebe, the Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, has been arrested in connection with illegal firearm possession and an invasion of an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office.

The arrest took place in Tenebe’s hometown of Ikabigbo, in the Etsako West local government area, allegedly on the orders of Edo State Deputy Governor Hon. Philip Shaibu.

Tenebe is a well-known mobilizer for the APC and a staunch supporter of former Edo State Governor and ex-National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

In a recent video, Tenebe accused the deputy governor of various issues, further escalating tensions between the opposing factions within the state’s political landscape.

The APC, during a press conference in Benin City on Tuesday, claimed that the state government was planning to rig the upcoming election using thugs in different disguises.

They expressed concerns over the integrity of the electoral process, urging for increased vigilance and security to ensure a free and fair election.

Both Col. David Imuse (rtd), the state chairman of the APC, and Ofure Osehobo, the party’s Assistant Publicity Secretary, confirmed Tenebe’s arrest. However, the police have not yet responded to inquiries, as Police Public Relations Officer Chidi Nwabuzor has not answered any calls, Vanguard Nigeria newspaper reports.

The Edo State House of Assembly election is a critical contest for the APC, which seeks to maintain its influence in the state. The party has been facing internal struggles since Oshiomhole’s controversial tenure as National Chairman, which led to his suspension in 2020.

As the election approaches, the arrest of Jarrett Tenebe has added fuel to the fire, further polarizing the political atmosphere in Edo State.

Tenebe’s supporters have questioned the timing and motivation behind the arrest, claiming that it might be an attempt to disrupt the APC’s mobilization efforts and tilt the election in favor of the ruling party.

With the Edo State House of Assembly election just around the corner, all eyes are on the state as the political drama unfolds.

The situation raises concerns about the potential for election-related violence, voter intimidation, and other forms of electoral malpractice.

Stakeholders, including INEC, civil society organizations, and international observers, are calling for calm and restraint from all parties involved, emphasizing the need to prioritize the democratic process over individual ambitions and partisan politics.