ZULUM DENIES ORDERING ARREST OF ‘TINUBU MUST GO’ SUPPORTERS AS POLITICAL CONTROVERSY DEEPENS IN BORNO
By Iroyin Yoruba Television
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has denied ordering the arrest of five men whose detention in Maiduguri has generated political controversy after they were linked to T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”
Zulum made the clarification in Maiduguri on Friday, October 2, 2026, saying he was surprised that the arrest had been associated with his administration.
The governor said he had neither authorised nor directed the police to arrest opposition supporters or people who criticise his government.
The statement came after the arrest and prosecution of the five men attracted criticism from political actors and rights advocates, while the Borno State Police Command maintained that the men were not arrested simply because of the political message displayed on the T-shirts.
The police said the suspects were arrested during a routine patrol and faced allegations including inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace, thuggery and possession of suspected illicit substances.
The competing explanations have turned the case into a wider political discussion about the treatment of opposition supporters, freedom of political expression and the responsibilities of security agencies during the period leading to Nigeria's 2027 general elections.
Zulum's latest statement is therefore significant because it separates the Borno State Government from the police action and places responsibility for the arrests within the law-enforcement process rather than a directive from the governor.
Speaking in Maiduguri, Zulum said his administration's attention was focused on restoring peace and rebuilding communities affected by years of Boko Haram insurgency.
He said he had not directed the arrest of political opponents and rejected suggestions that his government was responsible for the detention of the five men.
The governor also said residents of Borno, including people belonging to opposition political parties, had a right to live safely in the state.
The controversy began after five men were arrested in Maiduguri and subsequently taken before a court.
Their names were identified in the First Information Report as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed.
The men are between 21 and 44 years old.
According to the police account, they were arrested during a routine patrol around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri.
The police subsequently said officers found suspected illicit substances and other items in their possession, alongside two T-shirts bearing the words “Tinubu Must Go.”
The suspects were then charged with offences including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery.
The defendants pleaded not guilty.
Their arrest generated public discussion because of the political message printed on the T-shirts.
Critics questioned whether the political expression itself had become the basis for the arrests, while the police rejected that interpretation.
The Borno State Police Command said the suspects were being prosecuted over the alleged conduct and other items reportedly recovered from them, rather than simply because they possessed or wore shirts carrying an opposition slogan.
That distinction is central to the controversy.
The police position is that the case concerns alleged criminal conduct beyond the political message.
Opposition voices and other critics have questioned the circumstances of the arrests and the way the case has been handled.
The governor's statement on October 2 adds another position to the debate: that he did not order the arrests.
Zulum said he became aware of the matter after reports linked the arrests to his administration.
He maintained that his priorities remained security, reconstruction and the protection of residents.
The governor's response also comes at a time when political activity is increasing across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political parties, candidates and supporters are increasingly engaging in mobilisation activities, public meetings and campaigns.
As the election approaches, disputes over political expression are likely to attract greater attention because statements and actions by security agencies can be interpreted through a political lens.
For the Borno government, the immediate issue is whether the police action should be understood as a law-enforcement matter or as political intimidation.
Zulum has made clear that he does not accept the suggestion that the arrests were carried out on his instruction.
The police have similarly insisted that their action was based on alleged offences.
The courts will ultimately have responsibility for determining the legal issues raised by the charges.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty, meaning that the allegations against them remain unproven.
Their legal representation has also sought bail.
A ruling on the bail application has been scheduled for October 6, while the substantive case is expected to continue later in October.
The court proceedings will therefore provide an avenue for the allegations to be examined through the judicial process.
Until then, claims made by either side should be treated as allegations or positions rather than established facts.
The political dimension of the controversy is nevertheless already visible.
The words “Tinubu Must Go” are an explicit political demand directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Displaying a political slogan does not by itself establish that a person has committed a criminal offence.
At the same time, the police have alleged that the five men were involved in conduct beyond the display of the slogan and that other items were recovered from them.
The distinction between political expression and conduct that may constitute an offence is therefore at the centre of the case.
Determining that distinction is ultimately a matter for the appropriate legal authorities.
The controversy also highlights the importance of political neutrality by law-enforcement agencies.
During election periods, police and other security agencies are expected to enforce the law without favouring a political party or candidate.
This principle is particularly important in states where political competition is becoming more active.
Security agencies are responsible for maintaining public order, but political parties and citizens also have legitimate interests in expressing their views.
Balancing those responsibilities requires clear evidence, transparent procedures and adherence to the law.
The Borno police have said the suspects were arrested during a routine patrol rather than during a political rally.
That explanation will form part of the public record surrounding the case.
The police have also said the suspects were accused of offences unrelated to merely expressing opposition to the President.
The governor's latest statement does not determine whether the police allegations are correct.
Instead, it addresses whether the governor or his administration directed the arrests.
Zulum's denial therefore needs to be considered separately from the legal case against the five defendants.
One question concerns who authorised the arrests.
Another concerns the circumstances under which the five men were apprehended.
A third concerns the evidence supporting the charges.
A fourth concerns the political significance of the slogan.
These are related but distinct issues.
Keeping them separate is important for an accurate understanding of the controversy.
The case has also generated discussion about the role of political opposition in Borno.
The state has experienced years of conflict caused by Boko Haram insurgency, and restoring security remains one of the major responsibilities of the state government.
Zulum referred to that security history when explaining his priorities.
He said his administration was concentrating on peace and reconstruction rather than targeting political opponents.
The governor has also stated that he has worked to protect residents regardless of their political affiliation.
His latest comments are intended to reject any perception that his administration uses state security structures to suppress criticism.
The political opposition, however, has continued to question the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
The controversy therefore remains unresolved in the political sphere even after the governor's denial.
A governor denying responsibility for an arrest does not automatically settle questions about the actions of security personnel.
Similarly, criticism from political opponents does not establish that the governor ordered the police action.
Those questions require evidence.
The court proceedings may provide some of that evidence, particularly if details surrounding the arrest and the allegations are examined publicly.
The case also illustrates the increasing sensitivity of political communication in the period before a general election.
Political slogans can become symbols around which supporters and opponents organise.
A phrase printed on a shirt may attract attention precisely because it communicates opposition to an incumbent political leader.
Political campaigns commonly involve competing messages, criticisms and demands for change.
The challenge for authorities is to distinguish lawful political expression from conduct that genuinely threatens public order or violates the law.
This distinction becomes particularly important when political activity occurs in areas that have experienced security challenges.
Borno's history of insurgency means that authorities face genuine concerns about public safety.
However, security concerns and political expression can intersect in complicated ways.
Authorities must therefore provide clear explanations when political activists or citizens are arrested.
Transparency can reduce speculation and help the public understand the legal basis for an arrest.
The Borno Police Command has already provided an explanation of the charges and the items it says were recovered.
Zulum has now provided his own explanation, stating that he did not order the arrests.
The next stage will depend on the judicial process and any further evidence produced by investigators.
The case also places attention on the responsibilities of political parties.
Parties and candidates have a right to campaign and communicate their positions.
They also have responsibilities to encourage supporters to respect the law and avoid violence.
The same principle applies to government institutions.
Public authorities are expected to protect citizens while applying the law fairly.
The 2027 election cycle will bring increasing political activity across Nigeria.
That activity is likely to involve demonstrations, campaign events, political messaging, criticism of government policies and competing demands for public support.
The handling of disputes arising from such activities can influence public confidence in the electoral environment.
The Borno controversy is therefore being watched beyond the immediate circumstances of the five defendants.
It has become part of a wider conversation about political participation and the conduct of public institutions ahead of the next general elections.
Zulum's statement provides a clear position from the state governor: he says he did not authorise the arrests.
The police have provided a different explanation for why the men were detained and charged.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The court has not yet determined their guilt or innocence.
These facts form the established framework around the controversy.
The political debate will continue as the case progresses.
For citizens, the key issue is that political disagreement should be handled through lawful institutions.
Opposition supporters and government supporters have different political positions, but the legal rights of citizens should not depend on which party they support.
Similarly, allegations against individuals should be tested through due process rather than decided through political arguments.
The role of the judiciary will be important in determining the legal aspects of the case.
The police will also be expected to provide evidence supporting the charges.
The defendants will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations through their lawyers.
The governor's denial can be evaluated separately from those proceedings.
The controversy also raises a broader question about how political messages are treated in public spaces.
Nigeria's political environment includes strong disagreements between supporters of different parties.
Campaign slogans can be provocative, especially when they call for the removal of an incumbent government.
Such messages can nevertheless form part of ordinary political debate unless accompanied by conduct that violates the law.
Determining where the legal boundary lies is therefore important.
Authorities need to communicate that boundary clearly.
Citizens also need to understand their legal responsibilities when participating in political activities.
Political parties have a role in educating supporters about peaceful participation.
The same applies to civil society organisations, community leaders and electoral institutions.
The objective should be to ensure that political competition does not become a source of violence or unlawful restrictions on political participation.
The Borno case provides an example of how quickly a local arrest can become a national political issue.
The five men were arrested in Maiduguri, but the slogan involved a sitting President and the controversy has attracted national attention.
Statements from opposition figures and reactions from rights organisations have added to the debate.
Zulum's denial has now become another major element of the story.
His comments may reduce speculation about whether the state government directly ordered the arrests, but they do not resolve the separate questions concerning the police investigation and court case.
Those questions remain before the appropriate authorities.
The immediate legal timetable is also important.
The defendants' bail application is expected to come before the court on October 6.
The substantive proceedings are scheduled to continue later in October.
Until those proceedings take place, the public should distinguish between accusations, denials and established findings.
That approach is particularly important in politically sensitive cases.
The five men have denied the allegations by pleading not guilty.
The police maintain that the arrests were based on alleged public-order and related offences.
The governor says he did not order the arrests.
These positions can coexist without any one of them being treated as a final determination of the case.
The legal process is intended to establish the facts.
The political process will continue separately as parties and candidates prepare for the 2027 elections.
For Borno State, the controversy comes against the background of broader efforts to rebuild communities affected by insurgency and restore normal economic and social activity.
Zulum has repeatedly placed security and reconstruction among the major priorities of his administration.
His latest statement is consistent with that emphasis.
At the same time, the controversy demonstrates why political rights and security responsibilities must be handled carefully.
A peaceful political slogan and an allegation of public disturbance are not automatically the same thing.
Authorities must establish what actually happened in each case.
Evidence should determine the outcome.
As the court proceedings continue, additional facts may emerge about the circumstances of the arrest, the alleged conduct of the defendants and the evidence gathered by investigators.
The governor may also face further questions about the administration's relationship with security agencies and the political environment in Borno.
For now, his position is that he did not order the arrest.
The police position is that the five men were arrested and charged over alleged offences that went beyond the political slogan.
The defendants remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in accordance with the law.
The unfolding case therefore remains both a legal matter and a political issue.
Its significance extends beyond the five individuals because it touches on questions of political expression, public order, police conduct and the relationship between elected officials and security agencies.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, similar questions may arise in other states.
The handling of such cases will require careful attention to evidence, due process and the rights of citizens.
In Borno, the immediate focus will be on the next court proceedings and any additional information released by the police, the defendants' legal representatives or the state government.
Governor Zulum's October 2 statement has clarified his personal position on the matter.
He says he did not order the arrest and was not aware of it until reports emerged linking his administration to the incident.
The police continue to defend their handling of the case.
The defendants are challenging the allegations through the judicial process.
The controversy therefore remains open, with the legal proceedings expected to provide the next significant developments.
For the moment, the confirmed political development is that the Borno governor has publicly rejected responsibility for the arrests and said his administration is focused on security and reconstruction rather than targeting political opponents.
The case itself remains before the court, and the allegations against the five men have yet to be determined.