The political landscape in Edo State has been stirred by controversial remarks from the chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe, who has openly described the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a "gay party." This inflammatory statement was made during a recent interview where Tenebe addressed allegations that APC members had attacked the ADC secretariat in the state.
Tenebe's Allegations Against ADC
In his comments, Tenebe asserted that the ADC is comprised of individuals who are allegedly gay or have offspring identified as such. He emphasized his reluctance to engage with the party, stating, "Naturally, I wouldn't want to respond to them because I don't want to have anything to do with a party that has so many gays." He further elaborated, "I see ADC as a gay party. They are a family of gay people coming together."
Political Figures Mentioned
Tenebe specifically named several high-profile politicians associated with the ADC, including Governor Godwin Obaseki, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. He alluded to personal matters, noting, "We know about his son," in reference to Peter Obi, though he did not provide further details or evidence to support these claims.
Context of the Remarks
The remarks came as Tenebe defended the APC against accusations of violence, highlighting the party's focus on discipline and ongoing e-registration efforts. He stated, "APC is a disciplined party, a party focused on doing its e-registration now because we have a lot of parties that are collapsing into our party and so we are doing e-registration now to harvest the people." He dismissed the ADC's discussions as uninformed, adding, "So if they are discussing all of that, then they do not know what they are saying."
Reactions and Implications
These comments have sparked significant debate and potential backlash, as they introduce sensitive social issues into the political discourse. By labeling an entire political party based on unverified allegations about sexual orientation, Tenebe's statements could polarize public opinion and distract from substantive policy discussions in Edo State.
The incident underscores the often contentious nature of Nigerian politics, where personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric can overshadow governance and development agendas. As the story gains traction, it remains to be seen how the ADC and other stakeholders will respond to these allegations.
