The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has called for the immediate release of five protesters reportedly detained in Borno State over their opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Adebayo described their continued detention as a threat to democratic freedoms and the constitutional right of citizens to express their political opinions.
The protesters, identified as Ba’ana Grema, Mustapha Abba, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed, are reportedly being held in a correctional facility in Borno State.
In a statement issued by the Movement Adebayo for President (MAP), the SDP candidate condemned what he described as an attempt to suppress opposition voices and criminalise peaceful political expression.
He maintained that Nigerians had the right to criticise government policies and express dissatisfaction with elected leaders without fear of intimidation.
According to Adebayo, wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go” should not, in itself, constitute a criminal offence if those involved are acting peacefully.
He urged the Borno State Government, the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Government to ensure that the rights of the detained individuals were protected.
The politician also questioned the circumstances surrounding their detention, stating that information available to his movement did not indicate that the men had engaged in violent conduct.
Adebayo further called on the police to remain politically neutral as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
He warned against the use of security agencies to intimidate opposition figures and citizens whose political views differ from those of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The SDP candidate urged Nigerians, political leaders and other stakeholders to support efforts to secure the protesters’ release, stressing that democratic principles must be upheld regardless of political affiliation.
He reiterated his commitment to building a Nigeria where citizens could freely express their opinions without fear of persecution.
The controversy surrounding the protesters has drawn attention to the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and political expression.
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has previously denied ordering the arrest of individuals for political reasons, saying he was unaware of the arrests when reports emerged.
The circumstances surrounding the protesters’ continued detention remain a subject of public debate.
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