Group demands clarification from Borno governor, faults APC’s response to Amaechi’s hardship claims
The Presidential Campaign Council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC PCC) has challenged Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, to clarify a viral video in which he was allegedly heard directing the arrest of persons chanting “Tinubu Must Go”.
The opposition group also condemned comments attributed to the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, over former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi’s account of struggling to afford medication for his late mother.
The ADC PCC, in separate statements issued on Sunday in Abuja by its Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, said the two developments raised concerns about the handling of political dissent and the response of the ruling party to criticism.
On the alleged directive by Zulum, the council said the viral video appeared to conflict with the governor’s recent denial that he ordered the arrest of persons wearing T-shirts bearing the “Tinubu Must Go” slogan.
Shaibu therefore called on the governor to explain the circumstances surrounding the video and reconcile it with his earlier position.
“Nigerians deserve clarity, not contradictory messages about whether peaceful critics will be arrested,” he said.
The ADC PCC maintained that peaceful political expression should not be criminalised, arguing that a political slogan, T-shirt or call for a president to leave office does not, by itself, constitute a criminal offence.
The group, however, said where authorities had evidence of a separate criminal offence, such allegations should be properly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with due process.
“If the authorities have credible evidence of a separate offence, they should present it in court and allow due process to take its course,” Shaibu said.
He urged Zulum to withdraw any directive that targets peaceful protesters and assure citizens that they would not be arrested merely for expressing opposition to President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, governments should respond to political criticism through policies, explanations and performance rather than threats of arrest and detention.
ADC tackles APC over Amaechi
The ADC PCC also took issue with comments attributed to APC spokesman Felix Morka concerning Amaechi’s account of difficulties in affording medication for his late mother.
Shaibu described the reported response as insensitive, arguing that the issue should instead trigger a wider conversation about the rising cost of healthcare and the economic pressures facing Nigerian families.
He said the death of Amaechi’s mother and the family’s grief should not be turned into partisan political ridicule.
“A mother’s death and a family’s grief should never be turned into material for partisan ridicule,” Shaibu said.
The opposition campaign council also criticised Morka over his reported description of Amaechi as a “loafer”, arguing that such comments were dismissive of the challenges confronting Nigerians outside political office.
Shaibu said millions of Nigerians were struggling to afford medicines, food, electricity and transportation, adding that such difficulties should not be reduced to partisan exchanges.
“The political response is to ask why millions of Nigerians are also being priced out of medicines, food and basic necessities,” he said.
The ADC PCC subsequently broadened its criticism to the state of infrastructure, electricity, security and living conditions under the Tinubu administration.
Shaibu alleged that Nigerians were facing economic pressure, poor road infrastructure, unreliable electricity and insecurity, and urged the Federal Government to concentrate on addressing those challenges.
He specifically cited the condition of roads in parts of the South-East, saying poor infrastructure had continued to affect motorists, traders and other road users.
“The test of government is not how viciously its spokesmen can insult their opponents. It is whether people can live safely, afford treatment and earn a decent living,” he said.
The ADC PCC challenged the APC to account for the government’s record in infrastructure, healthcare, electricity and security, while urging political actors to exercise restraint in their public statements.
Shaibu said Nigerians would ultimately assess the competing claims and records of political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He added that the ADC PCC believed the election would give voters an opportunity to decide the direction of the country based on their assessment of prevailing economic and social conditions.
