BORNO State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, has threatened to cut off the fingers of residents who vote against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Buba also warned that residents who fail to support the APC in the polls would be denied benefits accruing from the government.
Daily Trust and SaharaReporters quoted the commissioner as reportedly making the remarks during the inauguration of a campaign organised by the Tinubu City Boy Movement, a political support group mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“Whoever shows us a finger, we are ready to cut off his fingers,” Buba said, adding that those who refuse to support the APC would be ‘flogged.’
The commissioner’s comments have raised concerns over citizens’ right to freely choose their political affiliations ahead of the general election in 2027.
The ICIR reports that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, guarantees every person the right to freely associate with others, including the right to form or belong to a political party.
It states, “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.”
Buba’s threats came days after the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Danjuma Shekwolo, threatened residents of his area council to quit if they would not vote for the APC.
“I have said in my area council that it’s either you are doing APC, or you leave the area council. I am not arguing about it at all,” he said.
The chairman said his position was based on what he described as the developmental achievements of President Tinubu and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, in the area council.
“You know why? I cannot have the minister and the president doing what they are doing, then on the day of the election, you will now say you want to match me out. I will not agree. It’s either you are with us, or you are against us.”
The ICIR reported that Amnesty International, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and others condemned the comments. While the NHRC called for the chairman’s arrest, Amnesty International described him as a danger to society.
However, following the backlash his threats attracted, Shekwolo, at a media briefing, said he was quoted out of context and would not ask anyone displeased with his party to leave his area council.
“In public governance, clarity, truth and transparency are essential. In recent days, certain statements made were taken out of context and led to a distorted narrative that does not reflect my true intents or core values or the official position of this administration,” he said.
Shekwolo also denied having any intention to violate the fundamental rights of Kuje residents.
“As the Executive Chairman of Kuje Area Council, I have no right to deny any resident or citizen of their fundamental human rights in the council,” he said.
He further pledged that his administration remained committed to inclusive governance, equity and the development of all communities in the area.
Comments by the Borno and Kuje officials come less than three weeks after another APC chieftain, Francis Fadahunsi, a senator representing Osun East, came under criticism over comments concerning members of the Accord Party ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
On August 11, The ICIR reported that a video had surfaced showing Fadahunsi calling on his supporters to kill Accord Party members they encountered in Ilesa ahead of the poll.
The senator was seen addressing a crowd in Yoruba and saying, “Until the election period, whenever you see them, kill them.”
The remarks triggered public outrage, particularly because they came days before the August 15 governorship election.
Fadahunsi later denied advocating violence. In a statement issued through his media aide, he said his remarks were misunderstood and were intended as a call for his supporters to defeat the Accord Party at the polls.
The senator later honoured the police invitation over the remarks, but no further action against him has been communicated to the public.
Marcus bears the light, and he beams it everywhere. He's a good governance and decent society advocate. He's The ICIR Reporter of the Year 2022 and has been the organisation's News Editor since September 2023. Contact him via email @ mfatunmole@icirnigeria.org