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Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has accused Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, of applying a double standard to political expression.

His criticism followed the arrest of five Maiduguri residents over T-shirts bearing the inscription, “Tinubu Must Go.”

Dalung said the reported prosecution of the men raised serious questions about the space available for dissenting political opinions in Borno State.

The five residents were reportedly arrested by the police and charged with conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery.

Amnesty International has condemned the arrests and called for their immediate release, according to BusinessDay, which Dalung referenced in his statement.

The former minister questioned why citizens wearing shirts expressing support for President Bola Tinubu could freely display their political preference.

He asked why those displaying an opposing message should face criminal charges.

“Is it the T-shirt? Or is the offence that the message on the T-shirt is against your preferred candidate?” Dalung asked.

He argued that political expression should not depend on whether the message favours or criticises those in power.

“If ‘Tinubu Must Stay’ is a legitimate political expression, then ‘Tinubu Must Go’ is also a legitimate political expression,” Dalung said.

The former minister said the development was particularly disappointing.

He said he had previously regarded Zulum as a politician who understood the importance of restraint and democratic principles.

Dalung warned that elected officials had a duty to protect the rights of both supporters and opponents.

He said a governor should not become an instrument for enforcing political conformity.

“A Governor is not a President’s prefect in the state,” Dalung said.

He urged Zulum to intervene in the case and ensure that the five men were released.

Dalung argued that disagreement with the President should not, by itself, constitute a criminal offence.

“Borno is not a political detention centre. And Governor Zulum must understand that disagreeing with Tinubu is not a crime,” he said.

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The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday accused President Bola Tinubu of making “Yahoo Yahoo” promises to Nigerians.

Atiku recalled how Tinubu promised to ensure lower transportation costs from October 1 as part of measures to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal but failed.

In his speech to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, Atiku said almost everything about Tinubu was “fake.”

He reminded the President that families were struggling due to his economic policies.

He said: “Bola, you have put the weight of Nigeria’s economy on a skateboard, families are struggling the journey, prosperity is going smoothly and it’s typical of yourself, everything is fake.

“Before I forget, you promised Nigerians lower transport fares from October 1. Today is October 1. Did your promise miss the bus?

“You attacked my plan to make life affordable in your Independence Day speech, but you did not tell Nigerians which additional routes became cheaper Today. Bola, was this a Yahoo Yahoo promise?”

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By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has marked his 61st birthday by sponsoring 120 inmates at the Medium Security Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja, to sit for the National Examinations Council (NECO) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations.

The initiative, which took place at the correctional centre on Thursday, formed part of activities marking the Speaker’s birthday and continued his support for educational opportunities for inmates.

Speaker Abbas who was represented by his Special Assistant on Humanitarian Affairs, David Igbe Okponya said the gesture was intended to ensure that incarceration did not become a barrier to education, personal development and the opportunity for inmates to rebuild their lives.

Delivering the Speaker’s message to the inmates, he urged them to use their time in custody to prepare for life beyond the correctional centre.

He urged the inmates not to allow their present circumstances to define their future.

He said: “I leave you with three words: Believe. Learn. Rebuild. Believe that your future can be better. Learn everything that can make you a better person. And when the opportunity comes, rebuild your life and make a positive contribution to society.

“Let this occasion remind us that no human being should be defined only by his worst moment.

“Whatever brought you here is part of your history, but it does not have to define the rest of your life.

“Use your time here wisely. Read, study, learn a trade, acquire a skill, and build your character. When the opportunity comes for you to return to your communities, return prepared to contribute positively to your families and to Nigeria.”

The event also featured testimonies from previous beneficiaries of Abbas’ educational sponsorship, as well as the cutting of the Speaker’s birthday cake with inmates.

An inmate identified simply as Adeolu, who benefited from the Speaker’s examination sponsorship last year, expressed appreciation for the support.

“A big thank you” to the Speaker, he said, before adding, “The foundation builder—that is what we call him in here.”

Another former beneficiary, Chikwendu, recounted how the educational support helped him change his course of study from science to art before sitting for the NECO examination sponsored by the Speaker.

He said he eventually obtained seven distinctions.

“Last year, you were here to plant a seed. I want you to know that, that seed has germinated. We are indebted to our father, the Right Honourable Speaker,” Chikwendu said.

Giving an overview of the educational programmes in the FCT Command, the Education Desk Officer, DSC Adikwu Owoicho, disclosed that more than 2,000 inmates had been registered for various educational programmes.

He said inmates registered in 2025 recorded encouraging performances in both NECO and NABTEB examinations.

“The Speaker is taking the lead in the number of NECO and NABTEB registration sponsorships nationwide. The NGOs are doing their best, but the Speaker is taking the lead,” Owoicho said.

Earlier, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Peter Jen, who represented the Comptroller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, commended the Speaker for supporting the Nigerian Correctional Service’s efforts to reform and empower inmates.

The Comptroller General described education as a critical pillar of the Service’s mandate of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.

He also advocated employment opportunities for reformed inmates, saying those who had undergone rehabilitation were ready to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Representing the Deputy Controller General in charge of Inmates Training and Productivity, SC Igomu Augustine, also appreciated the organisers for supporting inmates and the Service’s efforts to make them productive and better prepared for reintegration into society.

He said the Speaker was taking the lead in sponsoring the registration of inmates for NECO examinations across custodial centres.

The latest sponsorship formed part of his continued support for education and rehabilitation initiatives aimed at giving inmates opportunities to acquire qualifications, skills and the confidence needed to rebuild their lives after release.