Amnesty International has urged Nigerian authorities to investigate the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, over a viral video in which he allegedly threatened to punish people who refused to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The human rights organisation described the commissioner’s reported comments as unlawful, reckless and irresponsible, warning that threats against citizens over their political choices could fuel fear and undermine Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.
In the video, Buba was alleged to have said that those who refused to “obey us” by voting for his party would be flogged.
Amnesty condemned the remark, stressing that citizens cannot be punished for choosing to belong to or vote for an opposition political party.
“The Nigerian authorities must thoroughly and effectively investigate a viral video in which a member of Borno State cabinet was threatening opponents or those who belong to opposition political parties,” the organisation said.
It added that the alleged statement that “those who refused to obey us (vote their party) will be flogged” was unacceptable in a democratic society.
“In democracy, people are not punished for their political choices,” Amnesty said.
The organisation urged the authorities to act swiftly to prevent the incident from becoming another example of political impunity, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Amnesty, elections should not be treated as a battle in which political opponents are regarded as enemies.
“Election is not war and those who belong or choose to vote for an opposition political party are not the enemy,” it said.
The group maintained that Nigerians have the right to make independent political choices, adding that such rights are protected by the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and international law.
Amnesty warned that politicians were already contributing to a dangerous political atmosphere through threats, intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric against opponents.
“Ahead of 2027 elections, some politicians are already overheating the polity through threats and intimidation directed at opponents. This is already creating a toxic climate of fear,” it said.
The organisation called on political parties and individual politicians to publicly condemn statements capable of promoting hatred, discrimination, hostility or violence.
It further stressed the need for authorities to investigate the alleged threat and take appropriate action if the commissioner is found to have violated the law.
Amnesty’s intervention comes as political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections gathers momentum, raising concerns among rights groups and other stakeholders over the potential use of intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric to influence voters.
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