Borno ADC Condemns Arrest of Five Over ‘Tinubu Must Go’ T-Shirts in Maiduguri

The Borno State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the arrest and prosecution of five men in Maiduguri over T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go,” describing the development as an infringement on freedom of expression.

The party called for the immediate release of the defendants, arguing that wearing clothing carrying a political message amounts to an expression of political opinion and should not, by itself, constitute a criminal offence.

ADC Publicity Secretary in Borno State, Baba Ahmed Mustapha, stated the party’s position in a statement issued on Tuesday night. Vanguard also reported the statement and attributed the condemnation to the Borno ADC.

Mustapha said the party was informed that five youths had been arrested and detained by security operatives over the T-shirts, which expressed opposition to President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, citizens should be able to express their political views peacefully, including through messages displayed on clothing.

He called on the Borno State Commissioner of Police to ensure that security agencies operate professionally and within the confines of the law.

The ADC also urged civil society organisations and other stakeholders to speak out against what it described as the use of security agencies to intimidate citizens because of their political opinions.

PulseNets learnt that the development followed the arraignment of five men by the Borno State Police Command over allegations connected to the printing and wearing of the T-shirts.

According to a First Information Report issued by the State Criminal Investigation Department and reported as having been verified through court officials, the defendants are Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21.

The FIR, dated September 29, 2026, stated that the alleged incident occurred on September 25 at about 11am around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The police accused the five men of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery, with the alleged offences said to contravene Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.

When the matter came before the Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri, the five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Their counsel subsequently filed an application seeking bail.

The presiding magistrate adjourned the case until October 6, 2026, for ruling on the bail application, while the substantive trial was fixed for October 26, according to reports on the proceedings.

Amnesty International Reacts

The arrest and prosecution have also drawn criticism from Amnesty International, which described the detention of the five men as arbitrary.

Amnesty argued that peacefully expressing political opinions through clothing falls within fundamental rights and should not, in itself, be treated as a criminal offence.

The organisation said:

“Clearly, the intention of this reign of repression in Borno State appears to be selective injustice to curtail the opposition in the political space.

“It is sadly creating a toxic climate of fear that is contrary to the democratic principles of freedom and justice.”

Amnesty International called for the immediate and unconditional release of the five men and urged the authorities to discontinue what it described as a “sham trial based on bogus charges.”

The organisation further maintained that citizens should be allowed to peacefully express political opinions in a democratic society rather than have such views suppressed.

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However, reports on the Amnesty statement noted that the organisation’s statement was circulating on social media and that it had not been independently verified by some news outlets at the time of publication.

The case has brought renewed attention to the balance between public order laws and the constitutional protection of political expression, particularly as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.