Borno commissioner who threatened to beat opposition apologises

The Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, has apologised after threatening to beat opposition members who do not support the All Progressives Congress. He has also retracted his earlier comments.

PUNCH Online reported that in a video that has been widely shared, Buba said, "The government is our government." He added that anyone who supports the government will enjoy "the honey."

He also stated, "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."

He concluded with, "The government is our government. Those who follow us will enjoy the honey; if you refuse, then you will be flogged."

But on Wednesday, while speaking to reporters in Maiduguri, the commissioner clarified that his comments were not meant to harm anyone or violate people's rights to choose and associate freely.

He said, "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)."

Buba added that he had earlier explained that the comment should not be taken literally.

“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,” he said.

He emphasised that his statements do not reflect the views of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the government led by Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

He further stated that the administration respects the rights of all citizens.

“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 said.

Zulum and the APC, he noted, have shown a true democratic spirit for the past seven years and assured that this commitment will stay strong until the end of his tenure.