By NJORIGE LYNUS & MAHMOOD MALIK MUSA (M. M. M.) IBRAHIM

‘Tinubu Must Go’: Kano Police Accused of Blocking Opposition Group’s Meeting

MEMBERS of the ‘Tinubu Must Go’ movement in Kano State have accused the police of preventing them from accessing a venue booked for their meeting on Sunday 11 October 2026.

Abba Hikima, a lawyer and one of the movement’s conveners, made the allegation in a live video posted on his verified Facebook page. He claimed that more than 10 mobile police vehicles had been deployed to the venue.

In the video, several police officers appeared in the background as Hikima accused them of blocking members from entering the premises. However, the police had yet to publicly respond to the allegation as of the time of reporting.

The movement describes itself as a non-partisan platform seeking to educate Nigerians and mobilise voters to remove President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from office in the 2027 general elections. Its campaign, according to its members, stems from concerns about the Federal Government’s economic policies and the hardship they believe those policies have caused.

Group Cites Constitutional Rights

Speaking in the video, Hikima said the meeting was intended to allow members to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

He explained that participants had gathered to exchange ideas and discuss ways to campaign against Tinubu’s administration ahead of the next general elections.

“We are not criminals, we are not thugs, we are not hooligans and we have not committed any offence,” Hikima said, insisting that the gathering was lawful.

According to him, the group had paid to use a private event centre for the meeting. He alleged that the police deployment prevented members from accessing the facility despite their arrangements.

Hikima also disclosed that he had spoken with Kano State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Bakori before the planned gathering. He said the commissioner advised him to notify the police about the meeting and that he assured the police chief that the event would remain peaceful and within the law.

Nevertheless, the lawyer argued that the group did not require police permission to assemble, citing Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and association.

Dispute Over ‘Tinubu Must Go’ Slogan

Beyond the alleged restriction on access to the venue, Hikima claimed that some officers had indicated that they did not oppose the meeting itself but objected to members wearing clothing bearing the inscription ‘Tinubu Must Go’.

He rejected the alleged objection, maintaining that the slogan represented the group’s political position and its right to express opposition to the president.

“The Court of Appeal decision stands. I do not need to inform any security agent to hold my rallies,” he said, adding that the movement would consider protests and demonstrations in the future.

Following the incident, members of the group reportedly took to the streets, chanting “Tinubu Must Go” and waving flags bearing the slogan.

Police Response Still Awaited

The incident has raised questions about the balance between public security and citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful political expression. While police authorities may have legitimate responsibilities concerning public order, any restriction on an assembly must be assessed against the applicable law and the circumstances surrounding the event.

However, the allegations remain those of the movement’s conveners. Without a public response from the police, it remains unclear why officers were deployed to the venue or what instructions they received.

The police had not publicly addressed Hikima’s claims as of the time the report was filed.