Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called for immediate release of five Nigerians reportedly arrested in Borno State over T-shirts bearing the inscription ‘Tinubu Must Go’.
Reacting on Wednesday through the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said if a political slogan is the reason for their detention, authorities should explain how wearing a shirt became offence.
He said President Bola Tinubu previously joined protests against fuel price increase under former President Goodluck Jonathan, and Nigerians should be allowed to express views on current economic realities.
Atiku said the slogan ‘Tinubu Must Go’ is demand for political change and should not be treated as criminal act.
He called on authorities to disclose the whereabouts of detainees, grant them access to families and lawyers, and release them if the slogan is the basis for their arrest.
‘Tinubu was free to tell Jonathan that his policies were hurting Nigerians. Nigerians must be free to tell Tinubu that his policies are hurting them. Release these five citizens now,’ he said.