ADC wants Zulum to explain viral video on 'Tinubu Must Go' arrests

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council is asking Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for an explanation about a viral video. In the video, he reportedly orders the arrest of anyone saying the slogan "Tinubu Must Go".

The council is worried about this order because Zulum had recently said he did not tell people to arrest anyone wearing "Tinubu Must Go" T-shirts in the state.

On Sunday, Phrank Shaibu, the Director of Strategic Communications for the campaign council, released a statement. He said the governor needs to clarify the video and explain how it matches his earlier comments.

The council believes Nigerians deserve to know if peaceful critics of President Bola Tinubu will be arrested just for sharing their political views.

“A viral video now circulating, in which Governor Babagana Zulum speaks in Hausa and orders the arrest and detention of anyone caught expressing ‘Tinubu Must Go,’ raises grave questions about his respect for citizens’ democratic rights.

“He must explain the fresh video and reconcile its contents with that denial. Nigerians deserve clarity, not contradictory messages about whether peaceful critics will be arrested,” the statement said in part.

The ADC PCC argues that peaceful political expression is protected by democracy. They insist that a political slogan, T-shirt, or calling for a president to step down is not a crime.

“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 council said.

They warned against using unrelated accusations to silence opposing views.

“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 added.

The council is urging Zulum to cancel any orders against peaceful protesters. They also want a public promise that no one will be arrested just for opposing President Tinubu.

“We call on Gov Zulum to withdraw any directive targeting peaceful protesters and to guarantee that no one will be arrested solely for expressing opposition to President Tinubu,” the statement said.

This issue comes up as political activities grow ahead of the 2027 general elections. Opposition groups are increasingly holding rallies, using slogans and social media to gather support and criticize the Tinubu government.

The ADC PCC believes that political disagreements should be solved through democratic discussions, not by threatening arrests.

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

The council’s demand has brought back attention to how political dissent is handled in Borno. It raises questions about how security agencies and state authorities will react to opposition activities as the 2027 elections approach.