Zulum Warns of Arrests Over Activities Linked to ‘Tinubu Must Go’ Slogan in Borno
By Fact Harbour News
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has warned that his administration will take action against individuals whose activities are considered capable of threatening peace and security in the state, amid renewed controversy over the “Tinubu Must Go” slogan and the recent arrest of five men in Maiduguri.
Zulum, speaking in an interview on Sunday, October 4, said the government would not allow activities capable of creating another security crisis in Borno to continue unchecked. He specifically expressed concern about the use of group identities, weapons-related symbols and activities that he said could contribute to unrest in Maiduguri.
The governor said authorities would arrest and detain individuals caught engaging in activities considered capable of undermining public safety.
His comments came only days after five men were arrested and taken to court in Maiduguri over T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go,” triggering a political and human-rights debate across the country.
According to reports of the governor’s latest remarks, Zulum argued that the government could not ignore conduct that might contribute to violence or disorder, particularly in a state that has experienced years of insurgency and communal insecurity.
He said some parts of Maiduguri had become difficult to access at certain hours because of the activities of groups he described as problematic. The governor maintained that the government had a responsibility to intervene before such activities developed into a larger security challenge.
Zulum also questioned the usefulness of violent protests, urging people interested in political participation to pursue their objectives through established democratic processes.
The governor’s latest position has, however, generated questions because it follows an earlier denial in which he said he had not ordered the arrest of opposition supporters or people wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.
On October 2, Zulum said he was surprised that the arrest of the five men had been linked to his administration. He maintained that he had never directed security agencies to detain people for political reasons and said his administration’s principal focus remained the restoration of peace and reconstruction in Borno.
The apparent difference between the two sets of remarks has become part of the controversy surrounding the case.
The original arrests took place on September 25 around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri. The five men were subsequently arraigned before a magistrate’s court in the state capital.
The defendants are Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed.
Police accused the men of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery. The charges were brought under Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code Law. The defendants pleaded not guilty.
The police account also differs from claims that the men were arrested simply because they wore shirts criticising President Bola Tinubu.
The Borno State Police Command has said the suspects were allegedly involved in conduct capable of causing public disturbance and that officers found other items in their possession. According to reports, the police said the men were allegedly found with suspected illicit substances and other items, alongside T-shirts carrying the “Tinubu Must Go” inscription.
The distinction is important because the defendants have not been convicted of any offence. The allegations contained in the police case remain matters for determination by the court.
Their bail application is expected to come up for ruling on October 6, while the substantive case has been adjourned until October 26.
The arrests have attracted criticism from opposition political groups and civil society organisations.
The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has demanded clarification from Governor Zulum over his latest comments. The group said a viral video appearing to show the governor directing that people involved in “Tinubu Must Go” activities be arrested and detained appeared inconsistent with his earlier denial of ordering politically motivated arrests.
The ADC has argued that citizens should be able to express political opinions peacefully, including criticism of the president and the government.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s political camp has also criticised the arrests, calling for the release of the five men and questioning the legal basis for treating the slogan as a criminal act when used as political expression.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International has similarly criticised the detention of the men. The organisation argued that wearing a T-shirt expressing political opposition should not, on its own, amount to a criminal offence.
The controversy has also attracted attention because of its timing. Political activity is already increasing ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with opposition groups seeking to mobilise supporters and challenge the ruling political establishment.
At the same time, Borno remains particularly sensitive to issues involving public gatherings, group mobilisation and activities that could potentially trigger violence. The state spent years dealing with the effects of Boko Haram insurgency, including attacks, displacement and destruction of communities.
Zulum has repeatedly presented the restoration of security and reconstruction as central priorities of his administration. His latest warning appears to have been made within that broader security context, although opposition groups have interpreted the developments through the lens of political freedom and dissent.
The competing positions have consequently produced two different narratives. The government and security authorities emphasise public order and the prevention of activities they believe could lead to unrest, while opposition groups and rights advocates have focused on the constitutional protection of political expression.
For now, the five men remain defendants in an ongoing court case, and no court has determined them guilty of the offences alleged against them.
The legal proceedings may therefore provide a clearer determination of whether the actions attributed to the defendants meet the requirements of the offences with which they have been charged.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum’s latest warning has ensured that the dispute over the “Tinubu Must Go” slogan remains a prominent issue in Borno, raising broader questions about how political dissent, public safety and citizens’ rights should be balanced as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections.
