The Borno State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the arrest and prosecution of five youths in Maiduguri over T-shirts bearing the inscription, “Tinubu Must Go”.
The party described the arrests as an infringement on the youths’ freedom of expression and called for their immediate release.
The five men were reportedly arrested by the Borno State Police Command and charged over allegations including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery. According to a police First Information Report, the men were accused of printing and wearing the T-shirts around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri with the alleged intention of causing a breach of public peace. (The NaijaWide News)
The ADC’s Borno State publicity secretary, Baba Ahmed Mustapha, said wearing a T-shirt carrying a political message amounted to an expression of political opinion and should not, in itself, be treated as a criminal act.
The party argued that Section 39(1) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and communicate ideas. It also urged the Borno State Commissioner of Police to ensure that security agencies operate professionally and in accordance with the law. (Vanguard News)
The ADC further called on civil society organisations, lawyers and other stakeholders to speak out over the arrests, while demanding what it described as the immediate and unconditional release of the five men.
The case has attracted wider criticism. Amnesty International has also condemned the reported detention, arguing that wearing clothing carrying a political message should not, by itself, constitute a criminal offence. (Vanguard News)
However, the police allegations go beyond the wearing of the shirts, with the First Information Report alleging that the men conspired to produce and wear them with the intention of causing a disturbance. The defendants are presumed innocent unless the allegations are established in court. (The NaijaWide News)
The development comes as political activity increases ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with opposition groups and supporters of President Bola Tinubu increasingly engaging in competing political campaigns and messaging.
