Zulum denies ordering ‘Tinubu Must Go’ arrests

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has denied ordering the arrest of five men detained by police in Maiduguri over T-shirts bearing the inscription, “Tinubu Must Go.”

Zulum, who spoke in Maiduguri on Friday, said he was shocked that the arrests had been linked to his administration, insisting that he neither authorised nor directed the police to detain the men.

The five men were arrested on September 25 and subsequently charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery. Police later said they also recovered suspected cannabis, tablets and other items from them.

But Zulum said his administration was preoccupied with restoring peace and rebuilding Borno after years of Boko Haram insurgency, rather than targeting political opponents.

“I have never ordered the arrest of anybody, including members of opposition parties or those criticising my administration,” the governor said.

He added that he had repeatedly exposed himself to danger to protect residents of the state, including opposition supporters, and ensure they lived in peace.

Zulum said only “desperate politicians” would order the arrest of opposition supporters, insisting that he was not one of them.

He also questioned why his administration would fear political opponents, arguing that Borno had remained an All Progressives Congress stronghold for more than a decade.

“Why would I order the arrest of anybody on political grounds?” he asked.

The governor said his priority remained the reconstruction of Borno, including the resettlement of internally displaced persons and rebuilding of communities destroyed by insurgency.

He said his administration had also invested in schools, hospitals and other public infrastructure as part of efforts to restore normalcy across the state.

“Where were they when we were struggling to see that we had restored peace, resettled IDPs, reconstructed destroyed communities and established schools and hospitals?” Zulum asked.

He accused some critics of changing their positions as the 2027 elections approach, saying some people who previously praised his administration had now begun portraying it negatively.

The governor said criticism would not deter him from continuing with his programmes until the end of his tenure.

“My reward for all the sacrifices and resources invested in rebuilding Borno is from God,” he said.

Meanwhile, the police have maintained that the five men were not prosecuted simply for wearing the T-shirts, saying they were arrested during a routine patrol and faced additional allegations including disturbance of public peace and possession of suspected illicit substances.

The case has generated public debate over political expression and the circumstances surrounding the arrests, with rights groups and political figures questioning the prosecution. The allegations against the five defendants remain before the court.