Nigeria Twitter has become a powerful platform for expression, protest, and passion, as it is not uncommon to find a collection of individuals expressing one point with a single hashtag.

In celebration of Democracy Day in Nigeria, many Nigerians are demanding a lot of things from the government – From basic amenities to good governance and security, one hashtag however, is calling on the government to acknowledge one of the basic and fundamental human rights, freedom of expression.

This trend however, is coming up in another reaction to the arrest of Idris Ayuba over a Facebook post.

In case you don't know why #FreeIdrisAyuba is trending…

He was arrested in Taraba State because of this post on his Facebook Page pic.twitter.com/EBV6S6bbNW

— #BBNaija (@ChinaksChris_) June 12, 2020

#FreeIdrisAyuba reminded Twitter users that Idris, an APC Youth Vanguard Coordinator was arrested in Taraba state on the 5th of May over a post he made criticising the state government. On his arrest, social media went ablaze over the idea that he was arrested for his comment on the government and in celebration of democracy and free speech, Nigerians are demanding his release.

Idris Ayuba Coordinator APC youths Vanguard Taraba state was arrested on the 5th of May 2020 just because he is a strong critic of the govt and has been checkmating the government for the past 5 years. #FreeIdrisAyuba pic.twitter.com/1uPVp4YNco

— ? Ayo Ze Fernandes? (@i_am_hayolah) June 12, 2020

Seeking for good governance should never be seen as a crime to any government. Taraba state government should pls release Idris Ayuba from detention. #FreeIdrisAyuba

— Bobby Tiino (@TiinoBobby) June 12, 2020

Another case of there is freedom of speech but freedom after the speech is not guaranteed #FreeIdrisAyuba

— Àjàdí Omo-Ogun (@Kayswat) June 12, 2020

If every citizen will be as courageous as Idris Ayuba, our failed government won’t have the place to hide. #FreeIdrisAyuba #FreeIdrisAyuba @BashirAhmaad @SaharaReporters @Omojuwa @Arsengere @TundeEddnut @B_ELRUFAI @SenIkenya @SenYusufAYusuf1

— Bobby Tiino (@TiinoBobby) June 12, 2020

Idris Ayuba arrest was carried out by the governor’s ADC and few police officers and the governor has been following the issue personally through his ADC#FreeIdrisAyuba pic.twitter.com/LH1wAtb2h0

— ?????? ? (@plugmanskillz) June 12, 2020

#FreeIdrisAyuba I would retweet this because I'm a fan of speak outs. If he is wrong, prove him right and to arrest him. He is a citizen and has a right to know. Arresting him will only escalate his message instead of surpress it. @IshakuDarius #SpeakOut #JoinHands https://t.co/NiaUfmQQ8b

— Nigerian YouTuber (@alozieofficial) June 12, 2020

Idris arrest was carried out by the Taraba state governor’s ADC and few police officers and the governor has been following the issue personally through his ADC. #FreeIdrisAyuba pic.twitter.com/StwhK00jbw

— Aderonke Bosede (@deronkebose) June 12, 2020

Many Twitter users pointed out that the issue of free speech is becoming a problem for Nigeria as people are no longer allowed to express themselves freely when it concerns matters of government. Other users urged Nigerians to massively join in the trend for speedy result.

Our freedom shouldn’t depend on party affiliations. #FreeIdrisAyuba https://t.co/jznGdRXzC7

— Bobby Tiino (@TiinoBobby) June 12, 2020

This Government is so good at trampling on human right, its not a good sign of democracy #FreeIdrisAyuba

— sexy diva (@klassi23_) June 12, 2020

Some users shared that the reasons leading up to Ayuba’s arrest were because of his party affiliation and that the state government wanted to make an example of him to others who attack and criticise the government. However, many other users pointed out that, it is not reason enough for him to be detained.

Nigeria is commemorating democracy today, but this trend shows that not a lot of Nigerians feel that democracy has solved many problems as they shared that a lot of Nigerian leaders are always using their authority to trample citizens.