Borno Commissioner Retracts Threat to ‘Flog’ Opposition, Apologises to Residents

The Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, has formally withdrawn his controversial threat to “flog” people who refused to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, and apologised to residents of the state and the wider public.

Buba came under criticism after a video circulated showing him making remarks suggesting that those who aligned with the government would benefit, while those who refused could face consequences.

During the event, the commissioner declared, “The government is our government,” while stating that those who followed the administration would enjoy “the honey.”

He had also said, “We are now playing politics. Whoever shows us a finger, we will show him a finger. Whoever dares to show us a finger again, we will break his finger.”

“The government is our government. Those who follow us will enjoy the honey; if you refuse, then you will be flogged,” he added.

However, speaking with journalists in Maiduguri on Wednesday, Buba sought to calm the controversy, insisting that his comments were not intended as a threat against the constitutional rights of Borno residents.

“In recent days, a comment I made during the empowerment programme organised by the City Boy Movement in Maiduguri has generated considerable concern within the public space.

“I wish to state, unequivocally, that my remark was never intended to harm or violate the fundamental rights of the people of our dear state to freedom of choice and association, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended),” he noted.

The commissioner said he had previously attempted to explain that the controversial statement should not have been interpreted literally.

But with the backlash continuing, Buba said he considered it necessary to publicly and formally withdraw the remark and tender an apology.

“However, in view of the concern it has continued to generate, I am using this medium to retract my earlier statement formally and to apologise to the entire people of Borno State and beyond for any offence it may have caused,” Buba added.

He also distanced the Borno State Government and the APC from his earlier comments, saying they did not reflect the principles of either the ruling party or Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s administration.

“Let me state in categorical terms that my comment does not in any way represent the ideals of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of His Excellency, Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum,” he stressed.

According to Buba, the APC-led administration in the state does not seek to undermine the fundamental rights of citizens or restrict their freedom of political choice and association.

“Rather, the party and the administration continue to uphold and respect every segment of our society, particularly our youth, who have remained steadfast supporters of both the party and the Zulum administration,” he maintained.

The commissioner further said Governor Zulum and the APC had consistently demonstrated democratic values throughout the past seven years, assuring residents that the commitment to those principles would continue until the end of the governor’s tenure.