Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of five Nigerians reportedly arrested in Borno State for wearing T-shirts inscribed with the slogan “Tinubu Must Go.”
In a statement released on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku questioned the legality of the arrests, demanding that the authorities explain how expressing a political opinion on clothing has become a criminal offence in a constitutional democracy.
Atiku drew a sharp contrast between President Bola Tinubu’s past actions as an opposition leader and his administration’s current posture toward public dissent. He recalled that Tinubu freely exercised his right to protest against former President Goodluck Jonathan over fuel price hikes, but is now allegedly suppressing citizens suffering under an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis.
“Tinubu opposed Jonathan’s fuel policy in the streets. Nigerians are living with the consequences of Tinubu’s fuel policy in their homes,” Atiku said.
“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. What kind of democracy grants its President the right to protest, then takes that right away from everyone else?” he asked.
The former Vice President maintained that the inscription “Tinubu Must Go” represents a legitimate democratic demand for political change, rather than a threat, a weapon, or a crime.
He argued that while President Tinubu has the right to disagree with the slogan and campaign against it, using state apparatus to detain citizens over political speech is unacceptable.
“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 added.
The opposition leader called on security agencies to immediately disclose the whereabouts of the five detainees, grant them access to their legal representatives and families, and drop all charges if their arrest was based solely on wearing the anti-government T-shirts.
