Governor Zulum’s threat to arrest protesters against Tinubu an assault to democracy: ADC
A viral video now circulating, in which Governor Babagana Zulum speaks in Hausa and orders the arrest and detention of anyone caught expressing “Tinubu Must Go,” raises grave questions about his respect for citizens’ democratic rights.
This is especially troubling because Governor Zulum recently denied ordering the arrest of people wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts. He must explain the fresh video and reconcile its contents with that denial. Nigerians deserve clarity, not contradictory messages about whether peaceful critics will be arrested.
No governor has the authority to criminalise peaceful political opinion. A slogan, a T-shirt or a call for a president to leave office is not, by itself, a crime. Borno State is not a political detention centre, and its citizens must not be threatened into silence for opposing President Tinubu.
If the authorities have credible evidence of a separate offence, they should present it in court and allow due process to take its course. They must not use other allegations as a cover to punish citizens for their political views.
We call on Governor Zulum to withdraw any directive targeting peaceful protesters and to guarantee that no one will be arrested solely for expressing opposition to President Tinubu. A government confident in its record answers criticism with evidence and performance—not threats of arrest and detention.
Signed:
Phrank Shaibu
Director of Strategic Communications
ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
4th October, 2026
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
Bayelsa suspends oil firm’s land acquisition over fatal community dispute
The Bayelsa government directed the operator of Oil Mining Lease 29 (OML 29) to suspend all land acquisition activities in the Brass council area.
Economy
Court freezes Chappal Energies’ accounts as shareholding dispute worsens
The court restrained all banks and financial institutions operating in Nigeria from releasing up to $100 million to R28, Adebisi Adebutu, and Michael Humphries.
Health
Academy honours five African scientists
The Pan-African Academy of Public Health has honoured five African scientists for their contributions to medical research, outbreak response and public health governance.
Anti-Corruption
Brazil’s Supreme Court orders seizure of Bolsonaro’s passports amid money laundering probe
The court said Mr Bolsonaro was under investigation for his alleged role in, and complicity with, a money laundering scheme.
States
Troops repel bandit attack in Benue, recover rifles
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke repelled a bandits’ attack in the Guma council area of Benue and recovered a cache of arms and other items.
Health
UN, WHO condemn killing of nurse responding to Ebola outbreak in DR Congo
The UN and the World Health Organisation condemned the killing of a nurse responding to an Ebola alert in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
