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From Timothy Olamrewaju, Maiduguri
A coalition of clubs and associations in Borno State has defended the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, over his controversial comment that those who failed to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) would be flogged.
The coalition said the remark, which attracted criticism after a pro-President Bola Tinubu rally in Maiduguri, was made in error and should not be interpreted as an attempt to undermine democracy or intimidate opposition supporters.
Speaking at a press conference in Maiduguri at the weekend, spokesman of the coalition, Garba Idi, urged residents to accept the commissioner’s apology and judge him by his record.
“We know him as a good man who respects democracy, the people and the democratic process,” Idi said.
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He said Buba had acknowledged that the comment was inappropriate and had apologised.
“He has already corrected what he said in error,” Idi said, maintaining that the commissioner remained an advocate of democratic participation.
Buba had, during the August 29 inauguration of the City Boy Movement in Maiduguri, a support group campaigning for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, reportedly said those who failed to support the APC would be flogged.
He was also reported as saying supporters of the ruling party would “enjoy,” while punishment awaited opposition voices.
The remarks subsequently generated controversy, prompting the commissioner’s apology and the intervention by the coalition.
