The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has called on Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum to clarify a viral video where he allegedly ordered the arrest of individuals expressing the slogan "Tinubu Must Go." The council, in a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, expressed concern over the video's content and its contradiction to Zulum's earlier denial of ordering such arrests.
According to the ADC, the video raises significant questions about Zulum's respect for citizens' democratic rights, particularly in light of his previous denial of ordering arrests for people wearing "Tinubu Must Go" T-shirts. The council emphasized that Nigerians deserve clarity on whether peaceful critics of President Bola Tinubu face arrest for expressing their political views.
The ADC PCC argued that peaceful political expression is protected under democratic principles and that a political slogan or call for a president to leave office does not constitute a criminal offense. The council warned against using unrelated allegations as a basis for suppressing dissent and urged Zulum to withdraw any directive targeting peaceful protesters.
The controversy comes amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition groups increasingly using rallies, slogans, and social media campaigns to mobilize supporters and criticize the Tinubu administration. The ADC PCC emphasized that political disagreement should be addressed through democratic engagement rather than threats of arrest and detention.
The council urged Zulum to publicly guarantee that no person would be arrested solely for expressing opposition to President Tinubu. They also called on the governor to withdraw any directive targeting peaceful protesters. The ADC PCC's demand has placed renewed attention on the handling of political dissent in Borno and the broader question of how security agencies and state authorities will respond to opposition activities as the 2027 elections draw closer.
The ADC's statement reflects concerns about the potential suppression of democratic rights in Nigeria. The council's call for clarity and protection of peaceful political expression highlights the ongoing challenges to democratic governance in the country. As the 2027 elections approach, the ADC PCC's demand for transparency and accountability from state authorities is likely to remain a significant issue.
The incident has sparked a renewed debate about the limits of political expression and the role of state authorities in regulating public discourse. The ADC PCC's statement has also drawn attention to the need for clear guidelines on the protection of democratic rights and the prevention of arbitrary arrests.
Key points
- The ADC PCC has demanded an explanation from Governor Zulum over a viral video allegedly ordering arrests for 'Tinubu Must Go' slogans.
- The council emphasized that peaceful political expression is protected under democratic principles and that a political slogan or call for a president to leave office does not constitute a criminal offense.
- The incident has sparked a renewed debate about the limits of political expression and the role of state authorities in regulating public discourse.
