Atiku Abubarkar (left), with President Bola Tinubu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded the immediate release of five men reportedly arrested for wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts in Borno State.
Atiku made the demand on Wednesday in a statement by his Special Senior Media Adviser, Phrank Shaibu. He criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for presiding over a cost-of-living crisis driven by high fuel, food and electricity costs.
According to him, wearing a political slogan is not a crime in a democracy, noting that President Tinubu once protested against former President Goodluck Jonathan over fuel prices.
“Tinubu opposed Jonathan’s fuel policy in the streets. Nigerians are living with the consequences of Tinubu’s fuel policy in their homes. Parents are cutting meals. Workers can scarcely afford the journey to work.
“Families are being crushed by bills that rise faster than their income, and when citizens put their anger on a T-shirt, the response is reportedly an arrest. What kind of democracy grants its President the right to protest, then takes that right away from everyone else?
“‘Tinubu Must Go’ is a demand for political change. It is not a weapon, a threat or a crime. President Tinubu can disagree with those words. He can campaign against them. He cannot make people disappear into custody for wearing them,” Atiku said.
He called on the authorities to disclose the detainees’ whereabouts, grant them immediate access to their 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 own policies are hurting them. Release these five citizens now,” Atiku demanded.
