The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has strongly condemned the arrest of members of the ‘Tinubu-Must-Go’ movement in Maiduguri, Borno State, by Governor Babagana Zulum's administration. The council described the action as a reckless abuse of power and office. This move has sparked concerns about the intimidation of citizens expressing opposition to the government. The ADC PCC emphasized that such actions undermine democratic principles and citizens' rights.
According to the ADC PCC's Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the arrests are an attempt to intimidate and silence citizens expressing their political preferences. He stated that some state governors are competing to impress President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the expense of citizens' rights and welfare. Ologbondiyan stressed that Nigerians have the constitutional right to express their political opinions, including calls to vote for a preferred party and candidate in 2027.
Ologbondiyan clarified that expressing slogans like "Tinubu must go" or "Tinubu must leave" constitutes a form of political expression and does not amount to a criminal offence. He alleged that the arrests aimed to intimidate members of the ADC and other opposition groups ahead of the 2027 general election. However, he insisted that such actions would not deter Nigerians from exercising their franchise.
The ADC PCC called on Governor Zulum to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested and guarantee their safety. The council also urged the authorities to prevent any harm to the detainees, citing a similar incident in Minna, Niger State, a fortnight earlier. Ologbondiyan warned that intimidation and harassment would not deter Nigerians from voting out President Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 election.
The ADC PCC appealed to the international community, including the African Union, European Union, British High Commission, and United States Embassy, to take note of the growing use of harassment and intimidation against citizens exercising their democratic rights. The council urged the international community to support efforts to protect Nigeria's democratic space and safeguard citizens' fundamental rights.
Ologbondiyan recalled that when the All Progressives Congress was in opposition, its members openly criticised and attacked the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He noted that President Jonathan did not order the arrest of citizens merely for exercising their right to free speech, highlighting the importance of upholding democratic principles and citizens' rights.
The ADC PCC reiterated that Governor Zulum should be aware that he will soon be an ordinary citizen, and no amount of intimidation and harassment will deter Nigerians from voting out President Tinubu. The council emphasized that the intimidation of citizens through arrest and other unlawful means will not deter the people from exercising their franchise in the 2027 election.
Key points
- The ADC PCC condemned Governor Zulum's arrest of 'Tinubu-Must-Go' movement members, citing abuse of power.
- The council urged the international community to support efforts to protect Nigeria's democratic space and safeguard citizens' fundamental rights.
- The ADC PCC called for the immediate release of those arrested and guarantee their safety.
