When Kabuto was forced to release Edo Tensei, Madara had a brief moment to do what he wanted, and because he knew the hand seals he was able to defy the Edo Tensei.
Tobirama also knows those seals needed, he even would be able to break out of it, had he been controlled by Kabuto that is. But because he is controlled by Orochimaru who strengthened the control with Hashirama DNA, Tobirama is unable to break out of it.
Aslo he cannot defy it the same way Madara did, because Orochimaru didn't allow him then to do what he wanted. If he could, he would have made those seals.
However, in Hashirama's case, his DNA doesn't affect him the way Tobirama is, so he is controlled with the same strength as was Madara, but having very strong chakra, he was able to break out of it quite easily.