Borno Official Threatens to Anti-APC Voters, Amnesty Demands Probe

The Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, has sparked widespread concern after threatening political opponents with physical harm if they fail to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), prompting a call from Amnesty International for a full investigation.

Buba made the remarks at a campaign inauguration event organised by the Tinubu City Boy Movement, a political support group campaigning for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and his anticipated 2027 re-election bid.

Addressing the gathering, Buba issued a stern warning using violent imagery to caution against political dissent.

“Whoever shows us a finger, we are ready to cut off his fingers. 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 said.

He went further, describing a policy of political patronage and exclusion, saying government benefits would depend on political loyalty.

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

Comments Come Days After Similar Kuje Council Threat

It is unclear if Buba’s remarks are targeted at Peter Obi’s Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) which official emblem is represented by two fingers, but it comes just five days after the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, warned residents opposed to the APC to leave the council area ahead of 2027.

The statement also drew criticism over the tone of political intimidation emerging ahead of the 2027 election.

As of the time of reporting, neither Buba nor the Borno State Government had not issued an official clarification or response.

Amnesty International Calls Remarks “Reckless And Irresponsible”

Nonetheless, Amnesty International Nigeria, in a statement on its social media platforms, frowned at Buba’s comments describing it as reckless and capable of creating a toxic climate of fear.

It called on authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly.

“The Nigerian authorities must thoroughly and effectively investigate a viral video in which a member of Borno state cabinet was threatening opponents or those who belong to opposition political parties,” the rights group said, describing his conduct as unlawful.

“His outrageous outburst that ‘those who refused to obey us (vote their party) will be flogged’ is unlawful. In democracy people are not punished for their political choices… Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, is flagrantly violating the law by threatening political opponents with punishment if they refused or did not support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),” Amnesty said.

The group warned that such rhetoric from a serving public official threatens public safety and undermines the foundations of multi-party democracy, adding that political tolerance must be protected as parties intensify preparations for the 2027 election.

“Ahead of 2027 elections, some politicians are already overheating the polity through threats and intimidation directed at opponents. This is already creating a toxic climate of fear. Political parties and politicians must publicly condemn any advocacy of hatred or incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence,” the statement added, calling on authorities to stamp out impunity by ensuring such incidents are properly investigated.