Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, has withdrawn his controversial remarks about opposition supporters and apologised to Nigerians following widespread criticism.
Buba had sparked controversy after a video from a political mobilisation programme in Maiduguri showed him warning that those who refused to support the All Progressives Congress would be “flogged” and threatening to break the fingers of those who opposed his political camp.
However, speaking with journalists in Maiduguri on Wednesday, the commissioner said his comments were not intended to infringe on the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of choice and association.
He said the remarks made during an empowerment programme organised by the City Boy Movement had generated considerable concern in the public space.
“I wish to state, unequivocally, that my remark was never intended to harm or violate the fundamental rights of the people of our dear state to freedom of choice and association, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Buba said.
The commissioner formally retracted the statement and apologised to the people of Borno State and Nigerians who may have been offended by his comments.
“However, in view of the concern it has continued to generate, I am using this medium to retract my earlier statement formally and to apologise to the entire people of Borno State and beyond for any offence it may have caused,” he said.
Buba also sought to separate his comments from the position of the APC and the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, stressing that his remarks did not represent the ideals of either.
He maintained that the Borno Government and the APC respect citizens’ rights and have demonstrated commitment to democratic principles.
