Borno Commissioner Withdraws ‘Finger-Breaking’ Talk, Beg Residents for Forgiveness
Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youths and Sports, Hon. Saina Buba, don apologise to members of the public, especially opposition members, over statement wey e make during City Boy Movement engagement for Maiduguri.
Buba earlier cause public reaction after e talk say, “Whoever shows us a finger, we will show him a finger… Whoever dares to show us a finger again, we will break his finger.” The commissioner later explained say the statement no mean say government wan harm opposition members or anybody wey get different political opinion.
While speaking with journalists for Maiduguri on Wednesday, Buba formally withdraw the statement and apologise to Borno people and members of the public.
He said, “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 the 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).
“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.
“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 any way 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,” Buba stated.
