…..Amnesty Demands Probe After Borno Commissioner Threatens to Flog Those Who Refuse to Support APC Ahead of 2027 Elections
By Mahmoud
A video that went viral on Monday, August 29, 2026, has sparked outrage after Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, threatened to punish political opponents.
Speaking at a campaign inauguration organized by the Tinubu City Boy Movement in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, Buba said those who refuse to back the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be “flogged”. He added, “Those who follow us will enjoy the honey; if you refuse, then you will be flogged”.
The commissioner did not stop at flogging. He also used violent imagery against critics, saying: “Whoever shows us a finger, we are ready to cut off his fingers”. “If they point fingers at us with malicious intent, then we will hold that finger and break it”. Buba, who is described as an ally of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, said politics could involve “persuasion, and sometimes… force”, and that government benefits would go only to APC supporters.
Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the remarks as “reckless and irresponsible” and a violation of citizens’ right to choose political parties freely. The rights group said, “In democracy people are not punished for their political choices” and called on Nigerian authorities to “thoroughly and effectively investigate” the incident to prevent impunity. Amnesty warned that such threats ahead of the 2027 elections could create “a toxic climate of fear”.
Amnesty stressed that Nigerians’ right to support any party is protected by the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and international law. The organization also said “Election is not war and those who belong to or choose to vote for an opposition political party are not the enemy”. Political analysts noted that the comments raise fresh questions about political tolerance and voter intimidation in Borno. As of the time of reporting, neither Buba nor the Borno State Government had issued an official response.
The incident comes just days after the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the FCT, Danjuma Shekwolo, also told residents to vote APC in 2027 or leave the council. With political parties and support groups already mobilizing for 2027, civil society groups are urging leaders to reject language that promotes hostility or violence. Buba has not clarified whether his statements were meant literally or as political rhetoric.
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