The controversy surrounding political rhetoric ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections has taken another turn following a comment by the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, in which he threatened that those who refuse to support the ruling All Progressives Congress would be “flogged.”
Buba made the remark in a video circulating on social media on Monday during a campaign inauguration organised by the Tinubu City Boy Movement, a political support group campaigning for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
The commissioner, while urging residents to support the APC, said political engagement could sometimes involve persuasion or force.
According to him, while the group was currently using persuasion, those attacking the party on social media should expect a stronger response.
He said, “If they point fingers at us, we will point fingers at them; if they point fingers at us with malicious intent, then we will hold that finger and break it.”
Buba subsequently told those unwilling to support the ruling party that they would be “flogged”, while urging supporters to follow the government and benefit from its programmes.
The statement has renewed debate over the increasingly confrontational language being deployed by political actors as parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections.
The development is particularly significant coming shortly after another political figure, Kuje Area Council Chairman, Samuel Shekwolo, was captured in a viral video warning residents who do not support the APC to leave the council ahead of the elections.
Shekwolo reportedly justified his position by citing developmental interventions associated with President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, arguing that residents should not benefit from government projects and subsequently vote against the APC.
The comments have added to concerns about whether access to government programmes and public resources could become intertwined with political loyalty during the buildup to the 2027 polls.
A similar controversy recently emerged in Osun State following remarks attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, concerning members of the Accord Party ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The comments generated condemnation from political actors and civil society groups, with Governor Ademola Adeleke calling for the senator’s arrest and investigation.
Fadahunsi later denied encouraging physical violence, maintaining that his statement had been misunderstood and that he was referring to defeating the Accord Party through votes.
The senator was subsequently invited and questioned by the Osun State Police Command.
Against this backdrop, Buba’s latest remarks have further intensified scrutiny of the language being used by politicians and political support groups across the country.
With the 2027 elections approaching, concerns are mounting that threats, intimidation and suggestions that citizens must support a particular political party to enjoy government benefits could undermine the principle of free political choice.
Nigeria’s electoral framework guarantees citizens the right to freely choose their preferred candidates and political parties, making the growing use of coercive language by political actors a subject likely to attract increasing public and institutional scrutiny as election preparations intensify.
