ADC Tells Zulum To Withdraw Arrest Threat Against “Tinubu Must Go” Protesters

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC PCC) has said Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum’s alleged fresh directive to arrest anyone expressing “Tinubu Must Go” is an assault on democracy.

The council called on Governor 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 council said a viral video now circulating, in which Governor 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.

In a statement on Saturday, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC PCC, Phrank Shaibu, said the development is especially troubling because Governor Zulum recently denied ordering the arrest of people wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.

“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 ADC said.

The campaign council said 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. Borno State is not a political detention centre, and its citizens must not be threatened into silence for opposing President Tinubu,” it stated.

The ADC said 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,” the statement said.

“A government confident in its record answers criticism with evidence and performance — not threats of arrest and detention,” Shaibu added.