The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has demanded an explanation from Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum over a viral video in which he allegedly ordered the arrest and detention of anyone found expressing the slogan “Tinubu Must Go”.
The council said the reported directive was particularly troubling because Zulum had recently denied ordering the arrest of people wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts in the state.
In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, on Sunday, the campaign council said the governor should explain the contents of the video and reconcile them with his earlier denial.
The council said Nigerians deserved clarity over whether peaceful critics of President Bola Tinubu faced arrest simply for expressing their political views. A viral video now circulating, in which Governor Babagana Zulum speaks in Hausa and orders the arrest and detention of anyone caught expressing ‘Tinubu Must Go,’ raises grave questions about his respect for citizens’ democratic rights.
“He must explain the fresh video and reconcile its contents with that denial. Nigerians deserve clarity, not contradictory messages about whether peaceful critics will be arrested,” the statement partly read.
The ADC PCC argued that peaceful political expression was protected under democratic principles, insisting that a political slogan, T-shirt or call for a president to leave office did not, in itself, constitute a criminal offence. No governor has the authority to criminalise peaceful political opinion. A slogan, a T-shirt or a call for a president to leave office is not, by itself, a crime,” the council said.
It warned against using alleged offences unrelated to political expression as a basis for suppressing dissent.
“If the authorities have credible evidence of a separate offence, they should present it in court and allow due process to take its course. They must not use other allegations as a cover to punish citizens for their political views,” Shaibu said.
The council urged Zulum to withdraw any directive targeting peaceful protesters and publicly guarantee that no person would be arrested solely for expressing opposition to President Tinubu.
“We call on Gov Zulum to withdraw any directive targeting peaceful protesters and to guarantee that no one will be arrested solely for expressing opposition to President Tinubu,” the statement said.
The controversy comes amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition groups increasingly using rallies, slogans and social media campaigns to mobilise supporters and criticise the Tinubu administration.
The ADC PCC said political disagreement should be addressed through democratic engagement rather than threats of arrest and detention.
“A government confident in its record answers criticism with evidence and performance—not threats of arrest and detention,” Shaibu said.
The council’s demand places renewed attention on the handling of political dissent in Borno and the broader question of how security agencies and state authorities will respond to opposition activities as the 2027 elections draw closer.
Punch
