According to a report by Channels Television on Friday, human rights activist and political commentator, Deji Adeyanju, has revisited his 2019 experience in Kano State, alleging that he was unjustly arrested and detained during the general elections.
Speaking during a televised interview, Adeyanju recalled that his activism and fearless criticism of those in power have often drawn harassment and intimidation. He described the 2019 incident as one of the most significant turning points in his advocacy for democratic accountability.
“In 2019, I was prevented from voting. Instead, I was arrested and kept in prison in Kano,” he stated, though he refrained from naming the individual responsible. Adeyanju suggested that the move was a calculated attempt to silence him and weaken his influence in the political process.
The activist emphasized that his ordeal in Kano was not just a personal attack but a reflection of Nigeria’s larger democratic challenges, where dissenting voices are frequently targeted rather than respected. He argued that the culture of silencing critics has remained consistent across different administrations.
Despite these setbacks, Adeyanju maintained that the experiences have only reinforced his determination to hold leaders accountable. “They may arrest me, insult me, or try to silence me, but they cannot take away my right to speak the truth,” he declared.
Linking the past to the present, Adeyanju drew parallels between his 2019 imprisonment and his ongoing disagreements with supporters of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate. He argued that Obi’s loyalists had adopted undemocratic methods, using insults and threats to stifle contrary opinions.
Adeyanju insisted that his critiques of Obi and the Obidient movement were based on principle rather than personal dislike, accusing them of repeating the same culture of intolerance he experienced years ago.
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