NIGERIA: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate release of five Nigerians reportedly arrested in Borno State for wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription, “Tinubu Must Go.”
Atiku described the reported arrests as a troubling development in a democracy, questioning how expressing a political opinion through clothing could constitute an offence.
He made the demand in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
According to Atiku, the reported arrests were particularly ironic given President Bola Tinubu’s past involvement in protests against fuel-price policies under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said Tinubu had once stood with Nigerians who protested against fuel prices, but now presided over an economy in which the rising cost of petrol, food, transportation and electricity had placed increasing pressure on households.
“Tinubu opposed Jonathan’s fuel policy in the streets. Nigerians are living with the consequences of Tinubu’s fuel policy in their homes. Parents are cutting meals. Workers can scarcely afford the journey to work.
“Families are being crushed by bills that rise faster than their income. And when citizens put their anger on a T-shirt, the response is reportedly an arrest,” Atiku said.
He questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrests, asking: “What kind of democracy grants its President the right to protest, then takes that right away from everyone else?”
Atiku maintained that the slogan “Tinubu Must Go” amounted to a political demand and should not, in itself, be treated as a criminal act.
“‘Tinubu Must Go’ is a demand for political change. It is not a weapon, a threat or a crime.
“President Tinubu can disagree with those words. He can campaign against them. He cannot make people disappear into custody for wearing them,” he said.
The former vice president therefore called for the immediate release of the five Nigerians and demanded clarification of the circumstances surrounding their reported detention.
