Borno Boils! Governor Zulum Threatens Mass Arrests Over 'Tinubu Must Go' Protests

A significant political controversy has erupted in Borno State, Nigeria, centered around alleged threats by Governor Babagana Zulum to arrest and detain residents who express opposition to President Bola Tinubu. The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) first raised the alarm, citing a viral video in which Governor Zulum purportedly spoke in Hausa, declaring that anyone caught using slogans such as “Tinubu Must Go” would face arrest and detention. The ADC PCC, through its Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, vehemently condemned this alleged directive as an “assault on democracy” and questioned the governor’s commitment to citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful political participation.

This development is particularly contentious given Governor Zulum’s prior denial of ordering the arrest of individuals wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts. The ADC PCC called on the governor to explain the fresh video and reconcile its contents with his earlier denial, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve clarity, not “contradictory messages,” regarding the state’s stance on political opposition. The group asserted that no governor possesses the authority to criminalize peaceful political opinion, arguing that a slogan, a T-shirt, or a call for a president to leave office does not, by itself, constitute a crime. They further warned that Borno State should not become a place where citizens are intimidated into silence for criticizing the Federal Government, stressing that the state is not a political detention center.

Governor Zulum, however, has maintained that his administration will not tolerate actions capable of undermining peace and security in the state. Amid renewed demonstrations by youths wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts, Zulum issued stern warnings that there would be consequences for those he accused of using group identities, weapons, and political activities to create unrest in Maiduguri. In an interview, he specifically referenced T-shirts showing signs of arms and knives, stating that continued inaction could render the state capital uninhabitable. He lamented that some areas of the city had become inaccessible at night due to problematic groups and vowed that measures, some without public announcement, would be taken against those responsible for disturbances. He insisted that his administration would not allow anyone to destabilize Borno, emphasizing a commitment to preventing conflict and maintaining order over political considerations.

The controversy escalated following the arrest and arraignment of five men in Maiduguri over T-shirts bearing the “Tinubu Must Go” inscription. The individuals—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. While they pleaded not guilty, their bail application and the substantive case were scheduled for October 6 and October 26, respectively. The arrests sparked widespread criticism from opposition groups and rights activists, who questioned whether the men were being prosecuted primarily for their political message.

The Borno State Police Command denied arresting the men solely for wearing anti-Tinubu shirts. According to police spokesperson ASP Nahum Daso, the suspects were apprehended during a routine patrol around West End Roundabout in Maiduguri, where officers allegedly recovered 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 100 tablets suspected to be D5, a shisha pot, scissors, and two “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts. The police stated that the arrests were based on allegations of inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery, and possession of illicit drugs, asserting their institution’s professionalism and non-partisanship. However, the ADC, through its Borno State Chairman Kolo Bukar, rejected the police account, alleging that the youths had obtained clearance from the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to hold a peaceful gathering at the ADC secretariat in the same vicinity.

Days after these arrests, dozens of youths again appeared in Maiduguri wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with the “Tinubu Must Go” inscription. A video circulating on X showed these youths marching together, a demonstration widely interpreted as a show of solidarity with those arrested and a renewed expression of opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. The circumstances surrounding this fresh gathering, including whether formal approval from security agencies was obtained, could not be immediately confirmed. This ongoing situation has continued to attract criticism from various bodies, including Amnesty International and other political figures, with lawyer and rights activist Hamza N. Dantani petitioning the Inspector-General of Police for a review of the arrests and prosecution, alleging possible selective enforcement of the law. The ADC PCC has urged authorities to prosecute any genuine criminal offenses through due process, without using other allegations as a pretext to suppress legitimate political expression, emphasizing that a government confident in its record should answer criticism with evidence and performance, not threats of arrest and detention.