Saina Buba, the Borno Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Poverty Alleviation, has retracted and apologised to the public after he threatened to harm opposition supporters.
Mr Buba made the retraction and the apology at a news conference on Wednesday following criticism that greeted his comment in a viral video.
The commissioner had earlier made a clarification statement over the viral video regarding the City Boy Movement Empowerment Programme issue, which attracted public outcry against passive threats and the safety of the opposition in the state.
“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.
“I wish to state, unequivocally, that my remark was never intended to harm or violate 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).
“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.
“This administration does not in anyway 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.
“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.
“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,” the commissioner said.
