‘Release Them Now’ — Atiku demands freedom for five arrested over ‘Tinubu Must Go’ t-shirts

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded the immediate release of five Nigerians arrested in Borno State over T-shirts bearing the inscription, “Tinubu Must Go.”

The five men were arrested in Maiduguri and subsequently arraigned on charges including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery, according to a police First Information Report.

The police alleged that the men printed and wore the T-shirts around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri with the intention of causing a breach of public peace. The defendants pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri.

Reacting to the development, Atiku, in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, demanded their release, arguing that citizens should not be detained simply for expressing a political opinion.

He questioned how wearing a T-shirt bearing a political slogan could constitute an offence in a democratic society.

Atiku said the reported arrests were particularly concerning against the backdrop of rising costs of fuel, food, transportation and electricity.

“Tinubu opposed Jonathan’s fuel policy in the streets. Nigerians are living with the consequences of Tinubu’s fuel policy in their homes,” he said.

According to the former vice president, many Nigerians are struggling with the rising cost of living, while workers and families face increasing financial pressures.

“Parents are cutting meals. Workers can scarcely afford the journey to work. Families are being crushed by bills that rise faster than their income. And when citizens put their anger on a T-shirt, the response is reportedly an arrest,” Atiku said.

He questioned the implications of the arrests for political expression and dissent in Nigeria.

“What kind of democracy grants its president the right to protest, then takes that right away from everyone else?” he asked.

Atiku described the “Tinubu Must Go” inscription as a political demand rather than a threat, arguing that the President could disagree with the message without using state power against those expressing it.

“‘Tinubu Must Go’ is a demand for political change. It is not a weapon, a threat or a crime.

“President Tinubu can disagree with those words. He can campaign against them. He cannot make people disappear into custody for wearing them,” he said.

The former vice president also called on the authorities to disclose the whereabouts of the five detainees and ensure that they have access to their families and lawyers.

He further demanded their release if the slogan was the basis for their arrest, drawing a comparison between Tinubu’s past opposition to policies of the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the right of Nigerians to criticise the current government.

“Tinubu was free to tell Jonathan that his policies were hurting Nigerians. Nigerians must be free to tell Tinubu that his policies are hurting them. Release these five citizens now,” Atiku said.

The five defendants are Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed. They have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. The court has adjourned the case to October 6 for a ruling on their bail application, while the substantive matter is scheduled for October 26.

The arrests have also attracted criticism from Amnesty International, which described the detention as arbitrary and called for the men’s immediate and unconditional release.

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