Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has denied ordering the arrest of protesters chanting “Tinubu Must Go”, saying his comments were directed at criminals threatening peace and security in the state.
Zulum’s clarification followed a statement by the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, which demanded an explanation over a viral video in which the governor was allegedly heard ordering the arrest and detention of people expressing the slogan.
The ADC campaign council had also questioned the remarks because Zulum recently denied ordering the arrest of people wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts in Borno.
However, Zulum’s spokesman, Dauda Illiya, described the ADC’s allegations as “unprofessional” and accused the party of misrepresenting the governor’s comments.
Illiya said Zulum made the remarks during a media chat in Maiduguri while discussing rising social vices and crimes threatening peace and stability in the state.
He said the governor was referring to young men wearing shirts displaying knives and clubs, which he described as symbols of violence.
According to the spokesman, Borno experienced increased gangsterism, kidnapping of underage girls, illegal abortions, phone snatching and other crimes following the Boko Haram insurgency.
He said the state government established an Anti-Vices security outfit to tackle the problems and that criminal activities had since declined in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.
Illiya insisted that Zulum did not mention the ADC, the “Tinubu Must Go” group or any opposition party during the media engagement.
He also accused the ADC of politicising security issues and urged political actors to exercise restraint, particularly in a state that has experienced more than a decade of insurgency.
The governor’s spokesman said the administration would continue to protect the peace and stability achieved in Borno, arguing that security and order were necessary for political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
