“You Protested Against Jonathan’s Fuel Price” — Atiku Blasts Tinubu, Demands Immediate Release Of 5 Youths Arrested In Borno Over ‘ Tinubu Must Go’ T-Shirts

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate release of five young Nigerians reportedly arrested in Borno State over T-shirts bearing the inscription ” Tinubu Must Go”.

Atiku said if a political slogan is the reason for their detention, those responsible must explain how wearing a shirt became an offence in a democracy.

In a press statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku reminded President Bola Tinubu that he once stood with Nigerians protesting fuel prices under former President Goodluck Jonathan, but now presides over a cost-of-living crisis that has made the same fuel, along with food, transport and electricity, painfully expensive.

“Tinubu opposed Jonathan’s fuel policy in the streets. Nigerians are living with the consequences of Tinubu’s fuel policy in their homes. Parents are cutting meals. Workers can scarcely afford the journey to work. Families are being crushed by bills that rise faster than their income. And when citizens put their anger on a T-shirt, the response is reportedly an arrest. What kind of democracy grants its President the right to protest, then takes that right away from everyone else?” Atiku queried.

The former Vice President declared that wearing a political shirt is not a crime.

“‘Tinubu Must Go’ is a demand for political change. It is not a weapon, a threat or a crime. President Tinubu can disagree with those words. He can campaign against them. He cannot make people disappear into custody for wearing them,” Atiku said.

The statement titled: ” TINUBU, YOU PROTESTED JONATHAN’S FUEL PRICES. RELEASE THE FIVE YOUNG NIGERIANS REPORTEDLY ARRESTED OVER ‘ TINUBU MUST GO’ T-SHIRTS — ATIKU”, comes amid outrage over the arrest and remand of five youths in Maiduguri for wearing the slogan.

Atiku had earlier in 2012 alongside Tinubu participated in the Occupy Nigeria protests against fuel subsidy removal under Jonathan — a point he now uses to question the double standard.

He called on security agencies and the Borno State Government to release the youths unconditionally and uphold constitutional rights to freedom of expression.