PRP Backs Opposition Coalition With Atiku To Unseat APC, Condemns Arrest Of Borno Youths Over ‘TinubuMustGo’ T-Shirts | Sahara Reporters

The party noted that Baba-Ahmed joined the coalition leaders during a visit to former Vice President Atiku at his residence on Tuesday.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has joined other opposition coalition leaders in backing efforts to strengthen the coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, PRP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, said the engagement with the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Atiku Abubakar is “a source of tremendous inspiration to the delegation.”

The party noted that Baba-Ahmed joined the coalition leaders during a visit to former Vice President Atiku at his residence on Tuesday.

The delegation met with Atiku and members of his campaign council as part of ongoing efforts by opposition parties and political actors to broaden their coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the party, the coalition plans to meet with other party leaders and candidates as it seeks to expand its membership and capacity ahead of the next general election.

“Leaders of coalition parties, as well as others interested in joining, recognise the need to broaden and strengthen the coalition’s capacity to defeat the APC in 2027 and give Nigeria a new lease on life,” the party said.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by opposition parties and political groups to build a broader platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Atiku emerging as one of the prominent figures involved in the coalition discussions.

The PRP also condemned the reported arrest of youths in Borno State over their alleged wearing of T-shirts bearing political messages, including “Tinubu Must Go”.

The party described the reported arrests as unacceptable and said the coalition would take up the matter.

“The reported arrest in Borno State of young people wearing T-shirts bearing political messages is unequivocally condemned,” the statement said.

The PRP said Nigeria must not become a country where citizens are treated as “hostages” and released only when political conditions are met.

The party’s condemnation follows SaharaReporters’ report of the arrest of youths in Borno over the political messages displayed on their T-shirts.

The PRP said the issue would be pursued by the opposition coalition, linking the reported arrests to broader concerns over political expression ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a separate statement, SaharaReporters reported that Atiku had demanded the immediate release of five Nigerians reportedly arrested in Borno State over T-shirts bearing the words “Tinubu Must Go.”

Atiku, in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said the reported arrests raised questions about the right to freedom of expression in a democracy.

The former Vice President said that if the political slogan was the reason for the reported detention of the five Nigerians, the authorities should explain how wearing a T-shirt carrying such a message became an offence.

The statement was titled, “Tinubu, you protested Jonathan’s fuel prices. Release the five young Nigerians reportedly arrested over ‘Tinubu Must Go’ T-shirts – Atiku.”

Atiku recalled that President Bola Tinubu had previously opposed aspects of the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, including fuel pricing policies, while Nigerians were protesting against the policies.

He said the situation had changed under Tinubu’s administration, arguing that Nigerians were now dealing with increased costs of fuel, food, transportation and electricity.

“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 asked.

The former Vice President said the phrase “Tinubu Must Go” should be regarded as a political expression rather than a criminal act.