Former Vise President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate release of five Nigerians arrested in Borno State for wearing T-shirts with the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”
Due to the shirts, five men—Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio, and Abdulhamid Mohammed—were taken into custody in Maiduguri, Borno State.
They were later brought before a Chief Magistrate Court and pled not guilty to charges of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbing the public peace, and thuggery.
Atiku, speaking through Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for the ADC presidential campaign council, questioned how expressing political views through clothing could become an offense.
“‘Tinubu Must Go’ is a demand for political change. It is not a weapon, a threat or a crime.”
He pled with the authorities to give the five Nigerians access to their families and attorneys and to reveal their whereabouts.
Additionally, Atiku recalled President Bola Tinubu’s opposition to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s fuel pricing policies, drawing a comparison between Tinubu’s stance at the time and the current economic challenges Nigerians face.
“Tinubu opposed Jonathan’s fuel policy in the streets. Nigerians are living with the consequences of Tinubu’s fuel policy in their homes”
The substantive case is set for October 26, but the court has reportedly set October 6 for a decision on the defendants’ bail request.