‘Borno Is Not a Detention Centre’: ADC Challenges Zulum Over Alleged Threat to Arrest ‘Tinubu Must Go’ Protesters

The Presidential Campaign Council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has challenged Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum over an alleged threat to arrest and detain residents who publicly express opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The ADC PCC raised the alarm in a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, following the circulation of a video in which Zulum was allegedly heard speaking in Hausa and warning that people caught chanting slogans such as “Tinubu Must Go” would be arrested and detained.

The opposition campaign council described the alleged remarks as a serious threat to democratic freedoms and questioned whether the governor intended to restrict citizens from expressing political opinions against the Federal Government.

ADC Demands Explanation From Zulum

Shaibu said the reported comments were particularly troubling because Zulum had previously denied ordering the arrest of people wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.

“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,” the ADC PCC said.

The group argued that Nigerians deserved a clear explanation rather than what it described as contradictory positions regarding whether citizens could be arrested simply for expressing opposition to the President.

“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,” the statement said.

The ADC PCC warned that Borno must not become an environment where residents are intimidated into silence because of their political views.

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

‘Prosecute Criminal Offences Through Due Process’

The opposition group acknowledged that security agencies have a responsibility to investigate and prosecute genuine criminal offences.

However, it insisted that such powers must not be used as a pretext to suppress political expression.

“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,” Shaibu said.

The ADC PCC called on Zulum to withdraw any directive allegedly targeting peaceful protesters and publicly guarantee that no resident would be arrested solely for expressing opposition to Tinubu.

“A government confident in its record answers criticism with evidence and performance not threats of arrest and detention,” the group said.

Zulum Cites Security Concerns

The controversy follows remarks by Zulum in which he warned that his administration would not tolerate activities he believes could undermine peace and security in Borno.

The governor’s comments came amid renewed appearances in Maiduguri by youths wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”

Zulum said authorities would act against individuals whom he accused of using group identities, weapons and political activities to create unrest in the state.

“But you put it in writing on the singlet. You wear a T-shirt showing a sign of arms and knives. You wear the singlet and move around claiming to belong to a particular group,” Zulum said.

He warned that allowing such activities to continue could threaten the safety and livability of Maiduguri.

“I swear, if we stand by and watch these things happen without taking actions. I swear, this town will not remain habitable if this continues. I am telling you,” he said.

The governor also claimed that some parts of Maiduguri had become difficult to access at night because of activities by groups he described as problematic.

“You cannot enter some area around 11 o’clock. Those people, we will deal with all of them within ten minutes. But because there is no unity and cooperation…” he said.

Political Expression or Security Threat?

At the centre of the dispute is a broader question over where authorities should draw the line between legitimate political opposition and conduct that threatens public security.

The ADC PCC maintains that peaceful criticism of the President is protected political expression, while Zulum has framed his concerns around activities he says could contribute to violence and insecurity in a state still dealing with the consequences of years of Boko Haram insurgency.

The controversy has also revived questions surrounding the recent arrest and prosecution of individuals in Maiduguri over “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.

The opposition group is now demanding clarity from the governor over whether security agencies have been instructed to target citizens because of their political messages.

For the ADC, the issue is no longer simply about T-shirts or slogans but about whether political dissent can be freely expressed in Borno without the threat of arrest.

The unfolding dispute could further intensify political tensions in the state as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

Arrests Deepen Controversy

Zulum also expressed concern about the impact of violence on residents, including women, as he defended the need for authorities to take action against activities he believes could destabilise Maiduguri.

“We will see what happens in this town. We have seen people being destroyed, and we are witnessing these things, including women being affected, right before our eyes,” the governor said.

His remarks came days after five men were arrested and arraigned in Maiduguri in connection with T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”

The men Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed 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. Their bail application is expected to be ruled on October 6, while the substantive case has been adjourned until October 26.

The prosecution of the men has generated controversy, with opposition groups and rights activists questioning whether the arrests were connected primarily to the political message displayed on their clothing.

Police Reject Political Arrest Allegation

The Borno State Police Command has denied arresting the men simply because they wore anti-Tinubu shirts.

According to the police, the suspects were apprehended during a routine patrol around West End Roundabout in Maiduguri.

The command claimed officers recovered 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 100 tablets suspected to be D5, a shisha pot, scissors and two T-shirts bearing the “Tinubu Must Go” inscription.

Police said the arrests were therefore linked to allegations of inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery and possession of suspected illicit drugs.

The ADC, however, has rejected that account, alleging that the youths had obtained clearance from both the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to hold a peaceful gathering at its secretariat around West End Roundabout.

The conflicting accounts have left unresolved questions over what triggered the arrests and whether the political messages on the shirts played a role in the decision to prosecute the men.

Zulum Previously Denied Ordering Arrests

The latest warning from the governor also appears to have reopened questions over his earlier position on the arrests.

Zulum had previously denied ordering the arrest of the five men or other opposition politicians, saying he was not aware of the arrests.

At the time, he said his administration remained focused on rebuilding Borno after years of Boko Haram insurgency rather than targeting political opponents.

However, his latest comments about arresting anyone caught engaging in activities deemed capable of undermining peace have intensified scrutiny from opposition groups.

Fresh ‘Tinubu Must Go’ Demonstration

The controversy has continued as dozens of youths were again seen in Maiduguri wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with “Tinubu Must Go.”

A video circulating on X reportedly showed the youths marching together, days after the five men were arrested and arraigned.

The fresh gathering was interpreted by supporters as an expression of solidarity with the detained protesters and a renewed rejection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, the circumstances surrounding the demonstration including whether the organisers obtained formal approval from security agencies could not immediately be independently established.

The renewed display of the slogan has effectively turned what began as a dispute over several arrests into a wider confrontation over the boundaries of political dissent and security enforcement in Borno.

Rights Groups Raise Concerns

The arrests have also attracted criticism from rights advocates and political figures, including Amnesty International, which has questioned the prosecution of the men and raised concerns about the treatment of peaceful political expression.

The controversy has further prompted lawyer and rights activist Hamza N. Dantani to petition the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

Dantani called for a review of the arrests and prosecution and raised concerns about what he described as possible selective enforcement of the law by the Borno State Police Command.

The competing positions now present a clear divide: while the state authorities say their actions are driven by concerns over public order, security and alleged criminal conduct, opposition actors argue that the arrests risk criminalising peaceful dissent.

With another hearing scheduled for October 6 and the substantive case fixed for October 26, the proceedings are likely to remain a focal point in the growing debate over political freedoms, policing and opposition activity in Borno ahead of the 2027 elections.