The “Tinubu Must Go” campaign is attracting increasing political attention in Northern Nigeria as activists and opposition supporters intensify their criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the January 2027 general elections. The movement has linked its campaign to persistent economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and concerns about government accountability. In an interview published on Thursday, October 29, one of its co-founders, Barrister Hamza Nuhu Dantani, explained that the initiative was intended to encourage public engagement over government policies rather than promote personal hostility towards the President. Political observers have acknowledged the movement’s growing visibility among some northern youths, although its actual membership, geographic reach and level of electoral support have not been independently established.
The Tinubu Must Go Movement emerged publicly in September 2026, when its organisers announced plans to mobilise Nigerians dissatisfied with the government’s performance. Dantani described the initiative as a public enlightenment campaign seeking greater accountability and improved leadership. Its early activities included calls for opposition groups to cooperate in challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 presidential election. However, the campaign has not presented itself as a registered political party or published a verified nationwide membership register. Dantani previously explained that its mobilisation relied on informal networks and individuals communicating the movement’s objectives within their communities. The structure makes its activities difficult to measure through conventional indicators such as formal branches and registered membership.
Dantani identified rising petrol prices, increasing food costs and continuing insecurity among the principal grievances motivating the campaign. He argued that government policies should be assessed according to their effects on ordinary citizens, particularly households struggling to meet basic expenses. The campaign has called for economic relief, improved protection of communities and greater accountability from public officials. Dantani also maintained that the movement intended to operate peacefully and within the law. He said its commitment to accountability would extend to future governments, regardless of which political party controlled the presidency. These statements reflect the movement’s declared objectives, rather than independently verified evidence of the number of Nigerians who support its position.
The movement’s emergence coincides with economic difficulties that have shaped public discussions since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. The administration removed the petrol subsidy, introduced foreign exchange reforms and pursued other measures intended to stabilise public finances and encourage investment. Supporters of these policies argue that they address longstanding economic weaknesses and could improve fiscal sustainability. Critics point to higher transport costs, expensive food and declining household purchasing power as evidence of the immediate financial burden on citizens. These competing assessments are particularly relevant in northern communities where agricultural production, trading activities and transportation costs influence household livelihoods. The extent to which economic grievances translate into electoral choices remains uncertain and cannot be determined from campaign visibility alone.
Political posters and banners have appeared across Kaduna as parties and campaign organisations prepare for the 2027 elections.
Professor Murtala Muhammad, National Vice-President of the Nigerian Political Science Association, said the movement appeared to be attracting attention among sections of the youth population in Northern Nigeria. He linked its emergence to economic hardship, insecurity, poverty, unemployment and increasing demands for accountable government. However, Muhammad cautioned that visibility on social media or participation in political discussions should not be confused with established electoral strength. According to his assessment, the movement would need credible grassroots structures, sustained public engagement and evidence of support across different constituencies before its wider political significance could be determined. He also stressed that political attitudes in the North are shaped by numerous factors, including government performance, established party networks and the credibility of competing candidates.
The campaign has also attracted controversy involving law enforcement authorities. In September 2026, five men were arrested in Maiduguri, Borno State, after reportedly wearing shirts bearing the words “Tinubu Must Go.” Reports indicated that the men faced allegations relating to conspiracy and conduct capable of disturbing public peace. The arrests raised questions about the distinction between peaceful political expression and conduct that authorities consider unlawful. Nigeria’s Constitution protects freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, subject to applicable legal limitations. The arrests do not establish that the entire movement was involved in unlawful activities, and any criminal allegations against the individuals concerned remain subject to due process.
Reports of arrests linked to the political slogan have prompted discussion about peaceful political expression and law enforcement.
Meanwhile, supporters of President Tinubu have intensified their own mobilisation efforts across Northern Nigeria. On October 15, a pro-Tinubu campaign organisation held a rally in Yola, Adamawa State, calling for the President’s re-election. The organisation, known as Tinubu Must Go Again, is distinct from the opposition-aligned Tinubu Must Go Movement despite the similarity in their names. Its national coordinator, Professor Sheriff Almuhajir, argued that the administration’s economic reforms should be assessed in the context of their longer-term objectives. Supporters also pointed to infrastructure projects and government policies as reasons for continuing the administration’s programmes. The competing campaigns illustrate how political organisations are presenting sharply different interpretations of the President’s record ahead of the election.
The development comes as political campaigns intensify across northern states, although participation and organisational activity vary considerably between locations. Reports published in October indicate that Kaduna, Nasarawa, Sokoto, Taraba, Katsina and parts of Adamawa and Bauchi have witnessed growing campaign activity, while some other states have experienced slower mobilisation. Political parties have also faced disputes over billboards, campaign spaces and internal organisation. On October 24, Tinubu launched his presidential re-election campaign in Kaduna, where he addressed supporters and defended his administration’s record. The event demonstrated that political support for the President also remains visible in Northern Nigeria, making it inaccurate to characterise the entire region as uniformly opposed to his candidacy.
President Bola Tinubu launched his re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24, 2026, as rival political groups intensified their activities.
The current political atmosphere recalls the nationwide demonstrations against economic hardship in August 2024, when protesters in several Nigerian cities criticised government policies and demanded action on the cost of living. Those demonstrations demonstrated that economic concerns could generate public mobilisation, although participation differed across states and communities. More recently, a video showing protesters chanting against Tinubu circulated online with claims that it depicted demonstrations in September 2026. Independent fact-checking established that the footage actually originated from protests in June 2026. The incident highlights the importance of verifying political images, crowd estimates and social media claims before treating them as evidence of a newly organised movement or a major shift in public opinion.
As of October 29, 2026, the Tinubu Must Go Movement remains active in public political discussions, with its organisers calling for economic improvements, stronger security and greater government accountability. Nevertheless, no independently verified nationwide membership data, representative opinion poll or comprehensive assessment establishes how much support the campaign commands across Northern Nigeria. Political analysts maintain that its significance will depend on sustained organisation, engagement with communities and the ability to demonstrate measurable public participation. At the same time, Tinubu’s supporters and rival political organisations are continuing their own campaigns ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027. The coming months will provide further opportunities to assess the competing political messages, while the ultimate electoral outcome will be determined by eligible voters through the established electoral process
