The Borno state coalition of clubs and associations in the state, has exonerated and defended the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Saina Buba, over his controversial comment that those who failed to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) party would be flogged.

The Coalition said the remark, which attracted criticisms, after the pro-President Bola Tinubu rally over the weekend in Maiduguri, was made in error and should not be interpreted as an attempt to undermine democracy or intimidate opposition supporters in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Maiduguri, 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.

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, comprising clubs, traders,farmers and other associations in the state.