By Iroyin Yoruba Television
Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has called for the immediate release of five men arrested in Maiduguri, Borno State, over T-shirts carrying the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”
Atiku's position was communicated in a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communications of his presidential campaign council on September 30.
The development has introduced another political and civil-liberties debate into Nigeria's preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The five men were arrested in Maiduguri and subsequently charged in connection with the production and wearing of the political T-shirts.
According to the police case documents reported on the matter, the defendants face allegations including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery.
The defendants have reportedly pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
THE ARRESTS IN MAIDUGURI
The five men have been identified as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed.
The police investigation concerns an incident around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri.
A First Information Report dated September 29 stated that the men allegedly conspired to produce and wear the T-shirts bearing the political message.
The document placed the alleged incident on September 25.
The case was subsequently brought before the Chief Magistrate Court in Maiduguri.
Reports on the proceedings indicate that the defendants pleaded not guilty and that a ruling on their bail application was adjourned to October 6.
The substantive matter has also been scheduled for further proceedings.
The allegations made by the police remain allegations until determined through the judicial process.
ATIKU'S RESPONSE
Atiku has argued that citizens should not be arrested simply for expressing political opinions through clothing.
His intervention comes against the background of increasing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former vice-president is the presidential candidate of the ADC and has been active in opposition political mobilisation ahead of the election.
His statement places the arrests within a wider discussion about freedom of expression and the limits of political activity.
The former vice-president has called on the authorities to release the five men.
WHAT THE POLICE ALLEGE
The police case is based on allegations that go beyond simply wearing political messages.
The First Information Report reportedly alleges criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery.
The police position, therefore, concerns the circumstances surrounding the alleged production and use of the shirts and the potential impact on public order.
This distinction is important because the court proceedings will determine whether the allegations against the defendants are established.
The accusations should not be treated as proven facts while the case remains before the court.
POLITICAL EXPRESSION AND THE 2027 ELECTION
The incident comes as Nigerian political parties and candidates increase their activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political expression can take many forms, including rallies, campaign messages, public statements, posters, clothing and online communication.
At the same time, Nigerian law places restrictions on conduct considered capable of causing public disorder or committing other offences.
The case therefore raises questions about where lawful political expression ends and conduct that may amount to a criminal offence begins.
Those questions will ultimately depend on the evidence presented and the applicable law.
THE ROLE OF THE COURTS
Because the five men have been charged, the judicial process is now central to determining the allegations.
A criminal charge does not itself establish guilt.
The prosecution is required to present evidence supporting its allegations, while the defendants have the right to defend themselves through the legal process.
The court will consider the evidence and arguments presented by both sides.
The defendants' reported plea of not guilty means that the allegations remain contested.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S POSITION
Amnesty International has also condemned the arrests and called for the men's release.
The organisation has argued that wearing a shirt expressing political opposition should not, by itself, constitute a criminal offence.
It has raised concerns about freedom of expression and association in connection with the case.
The organisation's position represents a civil-liberties assessment of the arrests and is separate from the police allegations before the court.
The authorities and the courts have the opportunity to respond through the ongoing legal process.
POLITICAL COMPETITION AHEAD OF 2027
The case arrives at a politically active period in Nigeria.
The 2027 general elections are expected to involve competition among several political parties and political alliances.
Opposition parties are seeking to mobilise supporters while the governing party is also preparing for the election.
Political slogans and campaign messages are consequently becoming increasingly visible in public spaces.
The handling of disagreements over political expression can affect how citizens and political groups perceive the broader electoral environment.
IMPORTANCE OF DUE PROCESS
The case highlights the importance of due process when individuals are accused of offences connected to political activity.
Security agencies have the responsibility to investigate suspected offences and maintain public order.
Citizens, meanwhile, retain legal rights that apply regardless of their political affiliation.
Where arrests result in criminal charges, courts provide the mechanism for determining whether the evidence supports those charges.
Maintaining that distinction is important in an electoral environment where political disagreements can easily become highly contested.
THE BROADER DEBATE
The dispute also reflects a broader debate about political expression in Nigeria.
Supporters of stronger restrictions on public-order threats may argue that security agencies need sufficient powers to prevent disturbances.
Civil-liberties advocates, on the other hand, emphasise the need to ensure that lawful criticism of government is not treated as criminal conduct.
These positions can coexist within a democratic system when the applicable laws are clearly applied and judicial processes remain available.
The Maiduguri case will provide a concrete legal test of the allegations made against the five defendants.
POLITICAL PARTIES AND SUPPORTERS
The incident also places attention on the responsibilities of political parties and their supporters.
Political organisations have a role in ensuring that campaign activities remain within the law.
Supporters similarly have responsibilities when participating in rallies, demonstrations or other political activities.
As the 2027 election approaches, political parties will need to communicate clearly with their supporters about lawful political participation.
This can help reduce misunderstandings and prevent political disagreements from escalating into public-order incidents.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The immediate next stage of the case will include the court's consideration of the defendants' bail applications.
Further proceedings will determine how the prosecution's allegations and the defendants' responses are handled.
The case is therefore still developing, and the final legal outcome has not yet been determined.
Meanwhile, political reactions are likely to continue because the arrests involve a slogan directly connected to opposition to the current administration.
THE 2027 CONTEXT
The incident illustrates how political disputes are increasingly intersecting with questions about freedom of expression and public order as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections.
Political parties are already positioning themselves, while candidates and supporters are becoming more active.
The ability of political actors to express competing views within the law will remain an important part of the electoral environment.
For the five defendants, however, the immediate issue is the criminal case before the court and the allegations made against them.
Their reported plea of not guilty means that the charges remain to be tested through the judicial process.
CONCLUSION
Atiku Abubakar's demand for the release of the five men has brought renewed attention to their arrest in Maiduguri over T-shirts carrying the message “Tinubu Must Go.”
The police have brought criminal allegations against the defendants, while Atiku and Amnesty International have questioned whether the arrests amount to an improper restriction of political expression.
The five men have reportedly pleaded not guilty, and the case remains before the court.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, the development highlights the importance of balancing public-order responsibilities with citizens' rights to participate in political debate.
The final determination of the allegations will rest with the judicial process.