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

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

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Baba Ahmed Mustapha, made the position known in a statement issued on Tuesday night. He said the ADC was informed that the men had been arrested and detained by security operatives over the messages displayed on their clothing.

However, police documents cited in reports on the case indicate that the five men were not merely accused of wearing the shirts. They were allegedly involved in printing and wearing the T-shirts around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri on September 25, 2026.

The suspects — Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21 — were charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.

They pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri, while their lawyers applied for bail. The court reportedly adjourned the bail ruling to October 6, with the substantive case scheduled for October 26, 2026.

Mustapha argued that wearing a shirt carrying a political message amounts to an expression of political opinion and should not, by itself, be treated as a criminal offence. The ADC therefore called for the immediate release of the men and urged the Borno State Commissioner of Police to ensure security agencies operate professionally and within the law.

The party also called on civil society organisations and other stakeholders to speak against what it described as the use of security agencies to intimidate people over their political views. The case comes amid increased political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, while the allegations against the five men remain before the court.