Nigerians have launched a nationwide demand for the immediate release of five people arrested in Borno State over wearing T shirts bearing the message “Tinubu Must Go.”
The arrests have triggered strong reactions across the country, with Nigerians expressing solidarity with the five detainees and calling on the authorities to release them immediately.
In response to the arrests, Nigerians have declared that if wearing a “Tinubu Must Go” T shirt is an offence, then the authorities should “start arresting all of us.”
The growing demand has turned the arrests in Borno into a wider national issue, with Nigerians questioning the decision to arrest the five individuals over the message displayed on their clothing.
Five men in Maiduguri the Borno State capital were arrested and taken to court after police said they printed and wore shirts carrying the words Tinubu Must Go. The men named by police are Baba Aji Gremami 44 years old Mustapha Abba Yemen 28 Abbacha Mohammed Ali 32 Adam Umar Gubio 21 and Abdulhamid Mohammed 21.
Police say the incident happened on 25 September 2026 about 11 in the morning around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri. A First Information Report dated 29 September 2026 from the State Criminal Investigation Department accuses the five of working together to print the shirts and of intending to break public peace in that community.
They face charges of criminal conspiracy inciting disturbance disturbance of public peace and thuggery under sections 60 78 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code. They were taken before Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri. All five said they were not guilty. Their lawyer asked for bail. The court set 6 October 2026 for a ruling on bail and fixed the main trial for 26 October 2026. The men were sent to a correctional facility while they wait.
The case has spread far beyond Maiduguri. Nigerians across the country have begun wearing the same Tinubu Must Go shirts and saying start arresting all of us if wearing a political message is now a crime. They are calling for the five men to be freed at once.
Amnesty International said wearing a shirt that shows political dissent is not a crime and asked the authorities to free the men without conditions and drop the case. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also demanded their immediate release and said a slogan asking for political change is not a weapon a threat or a crime. The Borno chapter of the African Democratic Congress likewise called the arrests an attack on free speech and asked the police to let the youths go.
Police maintain the men planned to disturb the peace. Critics say the action is meant to scare people who oppose President Bola Tinubu as political activity builds toward the 2027 elections. A source reported by some outlets claimed Borno Governor Babagana Umara Zulum directed the arrests. That claim has not been independently confirmed.The five remain in custody pending the bail ruling.
Families lawyers and supporters continue to press for their release while more Nigerians put on the shirts and repeat the same demand.
