By Abiola Olawale
The Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, has drawn widespread condemnation and public alarm following a controversial speech in which he threatened political opponents and declared that citizens who refuse to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections will be “flogged”.
The commissioner made the remarks while addressing a crowd at a political campaign inauguration organized by the Tinubu City Boy Movement, a support group mobilizing grassroots momentum for President Bola Tinubu’s anticipated 2027 re-election bid.
During the address, Buba adopted aggressive rhetoric directed at critics and members of the opposition, utilizing violent imagery to warn against political dissent.
“As for some people who do not deserve us to call their names. In politics, sometimes things go smoothly, sometimes it goes with persuasion, and sometimes it goes with force. Right now, we are being persuasive, but we’ve noticed they are throwing jabs at us on TikTok. Well, it is not as if we are inefficient at blowing the whistle on politics.
“If they point fingers at us, we will point fingers at them; if they point fingers at us with malicious intent, then we will hold that finger and break it. This government is our government; follow us and enjoy honey. As for those who refuse to follow us, they will be flogged.
“We should all be aware that they will bring campaign materials for the state for us all to benefit,” he said.
The latest comment by the Borno commissioner has again drawn attention to the tone of political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly concerns that inflammatory statements by political leaders could heighten tension and undermine Nigerians’ freedom to choose their preferred political parties.
