Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youths and Sports, Saina Buba, has apologised to members of the public, particularly opposition supporters, over a controversial statement he made during a political engagement in Maiduguri.
Buba had sparked public criticism following remarks at an empowerment programme organised by the City Boy Movement, where he said, “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 commissioner subsequently clarified that the statement was not directed at the opposition and was not intended to be interpreted literally.
However, addressing journalists at his office in Maiduguri on Wednesday, Buba formally retracted the statement and apologised for the concerns it generated.
“In recent days, a comment I made during the empowerment programme organised by the City Boy Movement in Maiduguri has generated considerable concern within the public space,” he said.
He stressed that the remark was not intended to threaten, harm or undermine the rights of residents to freedom of choice and association as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
“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 (as amended),” Buba said.
The commissioner recalled that he had earlier explained that his words were not intended to be taken literally, but acknowledged that the statement had continued to generate concern.
“I had earlier provided clarification that the comment was not intended to be taken in its literal sense.
“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.
READ ALSO: Gawuna’s Loyalists Set To Rejoin APC In Kano Ahead Of 2027
Buba also distanced his controversial remark from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum.
“Let me state in categorical terms that my comment does not in any way represent the ideals of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of His Excellency, Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum,” he stated.
He maintained that the state government respected the rights of citizens and had no intention of undermining any section of the society.
“This administration does not in any way undermine the rights of our citizenry. Rather, the party and the administration continue to uphold and respect every segment of our society, particularly our youth, who have remained steadfast supporters of both the party and the Zulum administration,” he added.
Buba further praised Governor Zulum and the APC for what he described as their commitment to democratic principles in the state over the past seven years.
“Governor Zulum and the APC have consistently demonstrated a true democratic spirit over the past seven years, and this commitment will remain unwavering to the very end of his tenure,” he said.
The apology comes after the commissioner’s initial remarks drew public attention and concerns over the tone of political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general elections.