A top government official in Borno State has sparked outrage after making a chilling threat against anyone who dares to vote against the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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Saina Buba, the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, has found himself at the centre of a political storm after he allegedly threatened to cut off the fingers of anyone who votes against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the commissioner made the alarming statement targeting political opponents of the APC — a declaration that many Nigerians have condemned as not only reckless but deeply unconstitutional.
What Did He Say?
In the trending video, Commissioner Saina Buba issued what can only be described as a brazen threat of physical violence against voters who refuse to align with the APC. For a serving government official — someone who is supposed to protect and serve all citizens regardless of political affiliation — such a statement has left many Nigerians shaking their heads in disbelief.
Nigerians React
As expected, the video did not go down well online. Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their outrage, calling out the commissioner for what they describe as voter intimidation* and *abuse of office.
“This is exactly the kind of impunity that is killing our democracy,” one Twitter user wrote. Others questioned whether the appropriate authorities — including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force — would take action against such a public threat.
A Dangerous Precedent
Nigeria’s electoral history has not been without its dark chapters of violence and intimidation, and comments like these from those in positions of power only threaten to deepen that wound. Every Nigerian has the constitutional right to vote for whoever they choose — and no commissioner, governor, or president can legally take that right away.
Section 77 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees every eligible Nigerian the right to vote, and threats designed to suppress that right are not only morally wrong — they are criminal.
Where Is the Accountability?
The big question now is: will Saina Buba face any consequences for his words?
In a country where powerful individuals routinely make inflammatory statements and walk away without so much as a query, many Nigerians are not holding their breath. But civil society groups, human rights organisations, and opposition parties are expected to push for a formal response from both the Borno State Government and federal authorities.
As Nigeria continues its journey toward stronger democratic institutions, incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of how much work still needs to be done. Every vote counts — and every Nigerian deserves to cast theirs without fear.
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