2027: Those who refuse to support APC will be flogged – Borno commissioner
In Nigeria, political figures have expressed strong opposition to non-supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election. Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, warned in a video that individuals refusing to support APC would face physical punishment, stating that the government's policies benefit supporters. Similarly, Samuel Shekwolo, chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, urged residents not supporting APC to leave the council, citing developmental efforts by President Bola Tinubu and Minister Nyesom Wike. These statements reflect growing tensions within Nigerian politics, where leaders are using aggressive rhetoric to secure electoral support. Meanwhile, a separate controversy involved Senator Francis Fadahunsi, whose comments about defeating the Accord Party through votes were misinterpreted as advocating violence, leading to calls for his arrest.
Senator Surajudeen Basiru, national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), visited Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osogbo on Sunday to offer his congratulations on Adeleke's re-election victory. The visit, documented in a video shared on X by Ayekooto, included several key messages from Basiru. He began by expressing gratitude to Adeleke for attending the funeral of Basiru’s late mother and visiting him during his period of bereavement earlier this year. Basiru acknowledged that he had postponed his reciprocal visit due to political considerations, as he had been actively campaigning against Adeleke in the recent governorship election. He emphasized that Adeleke's actions demonstrated compassion and generosity, which he could not ignore even amid political tensions. Basiru then extended his congratulations to Adeleke for winning the election, which he contested under the Accord Party, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji. Despite his personal preference for Oyebamiji, Basiru acknowledged that the outcome was ultimately determined by divine will. He noted that as a follower of former president Bola Tinubu, he recognized the importance of respecting democratic outcomes, even when they do not align with personal expectations. His message underscored the need for continued cooperation and respect among political figures in the context of Nigerian democracy. Finally, Basiru commended Adeleke for his steadfast commitment to supporting President Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 presidential election. He mentioned that some had speculated Adeleke might reneg on his pledge, but the governor had remained resolute. This endorsement highlighted the growing alignment between regional governors and the national leadership, potentially strengthening the APC’s position in the broader political landscape. Meanwhile, tensions escalated in Borno State, where the Youth and Sports Development Commissioner, Sainna Buba, issued a controversial statement threatening to flog individuals who refused to support the APC in the 2027 general elections. The remarks, captured in a viral video from a campaign event organized by the Tinubu City Boy Movement, suggested a willingness to employ coercive measures to ensure loyalty to the ruling party. Buba claimed that the APC was employing persuasion, but those who opposed them would face physical consequences. Such statements drew sharp criticism from human rights organizations and civil society groups. Amnesty International expressed deep concern over the commissioner’s remarks, stating that they constituted a direct threat to democratic principles. The organization called for immediate action from security agencies, emphasizing that the commissioner’s behavior posed a risk to the integrity of the electoral process. Similarly, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani, condemned the threat as unacceptable and undemocratic. He argued that such rhetoric undermined the fundamental rights of citizens to make free and independent political choices. Rafsanjani pointed out that Borno State has already faced significant challenges from insurgent activities and now risks further destabilization through political violence and intimidation. He stressed that public officials, including commissioners, have a duty to uphold democratic values and protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations. The incident also brought renewed attention to similar incidents elsewhere, such as the warning issued by Samuel Shekwolo, chairman of the Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, who had previously urged non-supporters of the APC to leave the council before the 2027 elections. These developments highlight the increasingly polarized nature of political discourse leading up to the 2027 elections. While some political figures seek to maintain unity and respect democratic norms, others resort to aggressive tactics that threaten the stability of the nation’s democratic institutions. The contrast between Basiru’s conciliatory approach and Buba’s confrontational stance underscores the diverse strategies being employed by different factions within the political arena. As the election approaches, the actions of these leaders will likely shape the trajectory of Nigeria’s political future.
In August 2023, Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, made controversial remarks during a campaign event for the All Progressives Congress (APC), threatening to flog individuals who do not support the party in the 2027 general elections. The comments, which were shared widely online, sparked outrage among civil society organizations and human rights groups. Amnesty International criticized the lack of action by security agencies, calling Buba's remarks a direct threat to democracy and urging accountability. Similarly, CISLAC/Transparency International Nigeria condemned the statement as undemocratic and dangerous to Nigeria's electoral process. These reactions highlight concerns about the use of intimidation in political discourse and the potential impact on democratic practices.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the commissioner's remarks as a direct threat to democracy and emphasizes the dangers posed by such behavior. It highlights the condemnation from left-leaning organizations like Amnesty International and CISLAC, which view the actions as undemocratic and coercive. The focus on the
Why factuality (90): The article provides a detailed account of the commissioner's remarks, including direct quotes and context about the campaign event. It also mentions reactions from various organizations, aligning closely with the cross-source consensus. The only minor issue is the incomplete quote from Amnesty Inte
Why objectivity (70): While the article presents multiple perspectives, including responses from human rights groups, it still uses strong language like 'threat' and 'danger to democracy,' which can imply bias. It remains relatively balanced compared to other sources but could have included more nuance in presenting the
The PunchIndependentConservativeFactual 85Objective 658/31/2026
In Nigeria, political figures have expressed strong opposition to non-supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election. Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, warned in a video that individuals refusing to support APC would face physical punishment, stating that the government's policies benefit supporters. Similarly, Samuel Shekwolo, chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, urged residents not supporting APC to leave the council, citing developmental efforts by President Bola Tinubu and Minister Nyesom Wike. These statements reflect growing tensions within Nigerian politics, where leaders are using aggressive rhetoric to secure electoral support. Meanwhile, a separate controversy involved Senator Francis Fadahunsi, whose comments about defeating the Accord Party through votes were misinterpreted as advocating violence, leading to calls for his arrest.
Bias read (Conservative): The article highlights statements from high-profile political figures using strong, confrontational language to enforce loyalty to the ruling APC party. The emphasis on punitive measures against dissenters, along with the framing of political competition as a zero-sum game, reflects a right-leaning,
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the statements made by Sainna Buba regarding threats against non-APC supporters in the 2027 elections. It includes direct quotes from the commissioner and references the context of the campaign event. However, it lacks specific details about the exact nature of the 'fl
Why objectivity (65): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'outrage' and frames the commissioner's comments as a threat to democracy. While it cites reactions from organizations like Amnesty International, it leans toward a critical perspective without providing equal space for counterarguments or clarif
The PunchIndependentCenterFactual 0Objective 08/30/2026
APC National Secretary Senator Surajudeen Basiru visited Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke following Adeleke's re-election victory. During the meeting, Basiru acknowledged Adeleke's attendance at his mother's funeral and expressed gratitude for the governor's support during his bereavement. He admitted to delaying the visit due to political campaign activities against Adeleke. Basiru congratulated Adeleke on winning the election despite campaigning against him, acknowledging that God determines who holds power. He also praised Adeleke for continuing to support President Bola Tinubu's presidential bid, noting that some had doubted this commitment.
Bias read (Center): While the article covers a politically charged event involving competing candidates within Nigeria's political landscape, the framing remains balanced. It presents both parties' positions without overt ideological slant. Basiru acknowledges his own campaign against Adeleke and accepts the election's
Why factuality (0): This article is unrelated to the primary source document about MTN data usage. It covers a political visit between APC leaders and Governor Adeleke, which is outside the scope of the provided data. Thus, it cannot be assessed for factuality relative to the MTN data source.
Why objectivity (0): The article has a partisan tone, focusing on political relationships and campaign strategies. It lacks balance and presents information in a way that supports the APC narrative, indicating a lack of objectivity.
How each side covered it
The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.
progressive
center
conservative
★
How each side covered it
Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.
NG
