Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded the immediate release of five Nigerians reportedly arrested in Borno State over T-shirts bearing the inscription, “Tinubu Must Go.”

Atiku, in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said the reported arrests raised concerns about freedom of expression in a democracy.

The former Vice President said that if the political slogan was the reason for the reported detention of the five Nigerians, the authorities should explain how wearing a T-shirt bearing such a message constituted an offence.

The statement was titled, “TINUBU, YOU PROTESTED JONATHAN'S FUEL PRICES. RELEASE THE FIVE YOUNG NIGERIANS REPORTEDLY ARRESTED OVER ‘TINUBU MUST GO’ T-SHIRTS - ATIKU.”

Atiku recalled that President Bola Tinubu had previously opposed aspects of the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, including fuel pricing policies, while Nigerians were protesting against the policies.

He said the situation had changed under Tinubu's administration, arguing that Nigerians were now dealing with increased costs of fuel, food, transportation and electricity.

“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?” Atiku asked.

The former Vice President said the phrase “Tinubu Must Go” should be regarded as a political expression rather than a criminal act.

“‘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,” he said.

Atiku further called on the authorities to disclose the whereabouts of the five reported detainees and grant them access to their families and lawyers.

He also demanded their release if their reported arrests were based solely on the message displayed on their clothing.

“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,” Atiku said.

He added, “What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander!”

The ADC Presidential Campaign Council said the statement was issued on September 30, 2026, by Shaibu.

Earlier on Tuesday, SaharaReporters reported that the Borno State Police Command had arrested and charged five men accused of printing and wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go” in Maiduguri, according to a First Information Report (FIR) obtained by the publication.

The five men were identified as Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21.

A source who spoke to SaharaReporters alleged that the arrests followed a directive from Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, to the state Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, to arrest the men over the T-shirts.

According to the police document, the men allegedly conspired to print T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go” with the intention of causing a breach of public peace within the West End Roundabout community in Maiduguri.

The police listed the alleged offences as criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery.

The document stated that the alleged offences contravened Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.