The Obi/Kwankwaso Movement in Borno State has said it will hold the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, accountable if any harm comes to its members following his alleged threats to “flog” and “cut off” the fingers of those opposed to the ruling party.
The movement also vowed to protect its members and supporters against intimidation or harassment using all lawful and democratic avenues available to it.
Buba had, in a video currently circulating online, declared that “the government is our government,” adding that those who align with it would enjoy “the honey.”
The commissioner made the remarks on Saturday during a campaign inauguration organised by the City Boy Movement in Maiduguri.
Speaking in Hausa at the event, Buba 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,” Buba said.
Reacting to the remarks in a statement on Monday, the Borno State Coordinator of the OK Movement, Aliyu Balarabe, said neither the movement nor its supporters would be intimidated by the threats.
He said, “Let it be clearly understood: if anything happens to any member or supporter of the OK Movement/NDC in connection with these reported threats, we will hold Hon Sainna Buba the Commissioner of Youths and Sports Development, politically and morally accountable and demand a full investigation to establish all persons responsible.
“We will not be intimidated, and we will defend our members through every lawful and democratic means available to us,” he added.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has condemned the commissioner’s remarks and called for a thorough investigation into the statements.
In a post on its official Facebook page on Sunday, the organisation warned against escalating political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that elections should not be treated as warfare.
AI said, “Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, is flagrantly violating the law by threatening political opponents with punishment if they refused or did not support the ruling All Progressives Congress. These remarks by Sainna Buba made yesterday 29 August 2026 are reckless and irresponsible.
“The Nigerian authorities must thoroughly and effectively investigate a viral video in which a member of Borno state cabinet was threatening opponents or those who belong to opposition political parties. His outrageous outburst that; “those who refused to obey us (vote their party) will be flogged” is unlawful.
“In a democracy people are not punished for their political choices,” it added.
The organisation maintained that authorities must prevent any form of impunity by ensuring the incident is properly investigated.
“Election is not war and those who belong or choose to vote for an opposition political party are not the enemy. People’s right to make political choices is protected by Nigeria’s constitution, the Electoral Act and international law,” It pointed out.
