Saina Buba Clarifies 'Finger-Cutting' Comment as Figurative, Targets APC Loyalists

Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youth Empowerment, and Sports, Saina Buba, has come forward to explain his recent controversial statement concerning the "cutting off" of critics' fingers. The commissioner asserted that his remarks were purely figurative and not aimed at members of opposition parties. This clarification came during a press briefing held in Maiduguri on Monday, following significant public outcry sparked by his comments at a political event a couple of days prior.

The contentious remarks were initially made at an inauguration event for the City Boy Movement, a political advocacy group supporting President Bola Tinubu's potential second term. During this gathering, Buba issued a caution to those critical of Governor Babagana Zulum's administration, stating that continued opposition to the state government would lead to repercussions. He also characterized politics as a dynamic process encompassing patience, strategic lobbying, and enforcement.

A viral video captured Buba's exact words: “Whoever raises their fingers against us, we will do the same to them. If you raise your fingers again, we will cut them off.”

On Monday, August 31, Buba countered that his statements had been misinterpreted, asserting they were specifically aimed at All Progressives Congress (APC) members from the North-East present at the event, not opposition figures. He emphasized that the gathering was exclusively an APC affair, not a broader political party meeting.

"The meeting was purely APC members gathering, not political parties. It’s a City Boy Movement which was designed to promote economic empowerment, self-reliance, skills development and improved livelihoods, among party loyalists,” Buba explained.

According to Buba, his controversial remarks were a direct response to instances of "anti-party activities" he observed among certain APC members in the aftermath of the party's primaries. He stated, “We in the APC observed that immediately after the party’s primaries, some aggrieved members have started playing anti-party politics, and we felt it’s necessary to call them to order by telling them those who vote for APC candidates will be fed with honey, while those who don’t will be caned.”

The commissioner reiterated that his "cutting off fingers" comment was symbolic, signifying that government initiatives for empowerment and welfare might be reserved for dedicated party loyalists, excluding those engaged in anti-party actions. Buba concluded by stating he had no regrets for his remarks, stressing they were delivered to an audience of fellow party members who had pledged their commitment to the APC's principles.