By Adesina Soyooye
A shocked Amnesty International Nigeria has demanded an investigation by Nigerian authorities of the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba.
He threatened hell for members of opposition parties if they fail to vote APC in the upcoming 2027 General Elections.
The Commissioner, in a viral video threatened political opponents with fire and brimstone if they dare vote against the APC.
But the rights group on Sunday, in a statement, demanded a full investigation and punishment in reaction to the distasteful contents of the video.
In the video, Commissioner Buba, while addressing the crowd at a campaign inauguration organised by the Tinubu City Boy Movement, said:
“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. The government is our government. Those who follow us will enjoy the honey; if you refuse, then you will be flogged.”
The statements, noted Amnesty International, is reckless and a flagrant violation of Nigerian law. It said the commissioner’s comments represent a serious threat to the rights of citizens to make free political choices.
“His outrageous outburst that ‘those who refuse to obey us (vote their party) will be flogged’ is unlawful. In democracy people are not punished for their political choices,” it said in its statement.
The body warned that politicians who use such language ahead of the 2027 elections are creatinga toxic climate of fear, and called on political parties and public officials to publicly condemn any incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.
“The authorities must stamp out any potential impunity by ensuring such incidents are investigated. Election is not war and those who belong or choose to vote for an opposition political party are not the enemy.”
Neither Buba nor the Borno State Government has reacted to to the provocative statement.
Recall that a few days ago, the Chairman of Kuje Local Government Area, Danjuma Shekwolo, publicly told residents to either vote for the APC in 2027 or leave the council area.
He apologised and withdrew his statement after it was greeted with outrage.
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