Amnesty condemns security agencies’ silence over Borno commissioner’s alleged threat against opposition supporters

Amnesty International has accused Nigerian security agencies of failing to act against Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Sainna Buba over alleged threats against opposition supporters.

The rights group said publicly available evidence showed that Buba had threatened to flog anyone who did not support the All Progressives Congress in Borno. He made the remarks at a campaign inauguration organized by the City Boy Movement in Maiduguri on August 29.

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The government is our government.

A video circulating on social media shows Buba saying, “The government is our government,” and adding that those who followed it would enjoy “the honey.” Amnesty described the comments as subtle incitement and said the commissioner posed a danger to democracy.

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Threatening those who may not vote for APC is not and cannot in any way be figurative. It is a direct threat.

“It is deeply concerning that, up till now and despite publicly available evidence, security agencies have not taken any action to hold Mr Sainna Buba to account for his reckless and irresponsible remarks,” the organization said. Amnesty added that voters must be free to make political choices without threats or restrictions on their personal liberty.

The group said it would continue to investigate, document and preserve evidence of incitement, threats and abuses before, during and after the 2027 general elections.

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The commissioner is a danger to democracy and must face justice for the subtle incitement.