Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate release of five Nigerians arrested in Borno State over T-shirts bearing the inscription, “Tinubu Must Go.”
The five men, identified as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed, were arrested in Maiduguri, Borno State, over the shirts.
They were later arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court and pleaded not guilty to charges including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery.
Reacting to the development through Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication of the ADC presidential campaign council, Atiku questioned how expressing a political opinion through clothing could become an offence.
“‘Tinubu Must Go’ is a demand for political change. It is not a weapon, a threat or a crime.”
He urged the authorities to disclose the whereabouts of the five Nigerians and grant them access to their families and lawyers.
Atiku also recalled President Bola Tinubu’s opposition to the fuel pricing policies of former President Goodluck Jonathan, contrasting Tinubu’s position at the time with the economic difficulties Nigerians currently 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 court has reportedly fixed October 6 for a ruling on the defendants’ bail application, while the substantive case is scheduled for October 26.
