Adebayo’s demand adds to calls for the authorities to reconsider the case as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections, amid concerns over the treatment of political dissent and the enforcement of laws governing public expression.
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewale Adebayo, has demanded the immediate release of five men arrested in Borno State over their alleged involvement in a campaign opposing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The men, identified as Ba’ana Grema, Mustapha Abba, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed, were arrested in Maiduguri on September 25 and charged with alleged criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.
They were reportedly arrested after being found wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go”, although the Borno State Police Command has denied that the political message on their shirts was the sole reason for their arrest.
The men were subsequently granted bail, but the charges against them remain pending, according to a previous SaharaReporters report published on October 7.
Adebayo made his demand for their release in a statement issued by the Movement Adebayo for President (MAP), describing their continued 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 men, identified as Ba’ana Grema, Mustapha Abba, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed, were arrested in Maiduguri on September 25 and charged with alleged criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.
They were reportedly arrested after being found wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go”, although the Borno State Police Command has denied that the political message on their shirts was the sole reason for their arrest.
The men were subsequently granted bail, but the charges against them remain pending, according to a previous SaharaReporters report published on October 7.
Adebayo made his demand for their release in a statement issued by the Movement Adebayo for President (MAP), describing their continued 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.
About the Author
