Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youth Empowerment and Sports, Saina Buba, has explained his controversial comment about cutting off the fingers of people who oppose the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Buba said the statement was made figuratively and was not intended as a threat against members of opposition political parties.
The commissioner made the clarification during a press briefing in Maiduguri on Monday, August 31, following widespread reactions to a video of his remarks at a political gathering.
What Buba Said
Buba had spoken at an event organised by the City Boy Movement, a political support group campaigning for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.
During the gathering, he warned individuals opposing the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, saying there would be consequences for those who continued to work against the government.
In the video that later went viral, Buba said: “Whoever raises their fingers against us, we will do the same to them. If you raise your fingers again, we will cut them off.”
The statement generated criticism, with many interpreting it as a physical threat against political opponents.
Commissioner Gives Explanation
However, Buba said his comments were directed at some APC members in the North-East who he accused of engaging in anti-party activities after the party’s primaries.
He stressed that the gathering was an APC-related event and was not a meeting involving opposition political parties.
According to him, the City Boy Movement was created to promote economic empowerment, skills development, self-reliance and better livelihoods among APC supporters.
Buba said some party members became involved in anti-party activities after the primaries, prompting his warning at the gathering.
He explained that his reference to “cutting off” fingers was a figurative way of saying that government empowerment and welfare programmes could be withheld from members working against the party.
No Apology
The commissioner maintained that he had no apology to offer over the statement.
He said his remarks were made in the presence of APC members who, according to him, understood the political context of what he was saying and had committed themselves to supporting the party.
Buba also said the message was intended to discourage anti-party activities and encourage APC members to remain loyal to the party and its candidates.