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 call in a statement issued by the Movement Adebayo for President (MAP), describing the detention as unjust and a violation of democratic freedoms.
He urged the Borno State Government, the police and the Federal Government to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful political expression.
The SDP candidate maintained that citizens should be free 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” did not, in itself, constitute evidence of criminal conduct.
Adebayo also expressed concern over what he described as attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in Borno State to suppress dissent.
According to him, information available to his movement did not indicate that the five men had engaged in violent conduct.
He called on the relevant authorities to review the circumstances surrounding their detention and ensure that their constitutional rights were respected.
The SDP candidate further urged 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 perceived as intimidation of opposition groups.
“Democracy suffers where democratic freedoms are abridged and stifled,” Adebayo said, urging Nigerians and political stakeholders to defend the right to peaceful dissent.
He added that the country’s commitment to democracy should go beyond party loyalty and include equal protection of the law for all citizens.
Adebayo reiterated his movement’s commitment to addressing poverty, insecurity and oppression, calling for a Nigeria where citizens could freely express their political views.