The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewale Adebayo, has called for the immediate release of five men reportedly detained in Borno State over their opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The men, 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 the state.
Adebayo made the demand in a statement issued by the Movement Adebayo for President (MAP), describing the detention as unjust and a violation of democratic freedoms.
He called on the Borno State Government, the police and the Federal Government to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful political expression.
The SDP candidate said citizens should be allowed to criticise government policies and express dissatisfaction with elected leaders without fear of intimidation or punishment.
He argued that wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go” was not, in itself, evidence of criminal conduct.
Adebayo also expressed concern over what he described as attempts by the APC-led government in Borno State to suppress dissent.
According to him, the information provided by his movement did not indicate that the five men engaged in violent conduct.
He urged the relevant authorities to review the circumstances surrounding their detention and ensure that their constitutional rights were respected.
Adebayo also called on the Nigeria Police Force to remain neutral during political activities ahead of the 2026/2027 campaign season.
He said the police should protect all political parties and citizens, regardless of their political opinions, and avoid actions that could be interpreted as intimidation of opposition groups.
“Democracy suffers where democratic freedoms are abridged and stifled,” he said, urging Nigerians and political stakeholders to defend the right to peaceful dissent.
The SDP candidate added that the country’s commitment to democracy must go beyond party loyalty and include equal protection of the law for all citizens.
He reiterated his movement’s commitment to addressing poverty, insecurity and oppression, calling for a Nigeria where citizens could freely express their political views.
The statement ended with a demand for the immediate release of the five detainees.
