Some members of the ‘Tinubu Must Go’ (TMG) movement have condemned the alleged police blockade of the venue where they planned to hold a meeting in Kano State, describing the action as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Abba Hikima, a lawyer and one of the conveners of the movement, raised the alarm on Sunday, October 11, 2026, alleging that police officers prevented members from accessing the private event centre they had reportedly paid to use for their gathering.
The movement describes itself as a non-partisan platform established to promote public enlightenment and mobilise Nigerians to vote out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The group has linked its campaign to the Federal Government’s economic policies, which it argues have increased hardship for citizens.
In a live video shared on his verified Facebook page, Hikima, dressed in a shirt and fez cap bearing the inscription ‘Tinubu Must Go’, alleged that more than 10 mobile police vehicles had been deployed to the venue.
Some police officers were visible in the background of the video as Hikima addressed the situation.
He said the gathering was intended to provide an opportunity for members to exchange ideas and educate themselves on the need for political change ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Today, the 11th of October 2026, we gathered here in Kano State in order to exercise our fundamental human rights and to associate freely in order to exchange ideas and educate ourselves on the need to send away the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Nigeria,” Hikima said.
He accused the authorities of attempting to suppress the group’s activities, arguing that the alleged blockade reinforced its position that the Tinubu administration should leave office.
According to him, the movement intended to exercise its civic rights within a private venue and had no intention of engaging in unlawful activities.
Hikima Explains Conversation With Police Commissioner
Hikima disclosed that he had spoken by telephone with the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, who reportedly advised him to notify the security agency about the planned meeting.
The convener said he assured the commissioner that the gathering would be peaceful and conducted within the boundaries of the law.
“We are not criminals, we are not thugs, we are not hooligans and we have not committed any offence. And there is nothing wrong with what we are doing right now,” he said.
Hikima maintained that the group did not require police permission to hold a peaceful gathering, arguing that citizens were constitutionally entitled to assemble and express their political opinions.
He cited Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, which provide for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and association, respectively.
He also referred to Section 35, which guarantees the right to personal liberty, as part of his argument that the group should be allowed to proceed with its meeting.
According to Hikima, the planned event was to take place within an enclosed environment, making the police deployment unnecessary in the movement’s view.
Movement Insists on Wearing TMG Insignia
The lawyer further alleged that a police officer had indicated that the authorities had no objection to the gathering itself but were opposed to members wearing clothing bearing the ‘Tinubu Must Go’ inscription.
Hikima rejected the alleged objection, insisting that the group had the right to display its political message.
He argued that the slogan was an expression of political opinion rather than an insult and accused the authorities of attempting to prevent members from communicating their position on the president’s administration.
The convener also criticised what he described as restrictions on political activities, maintaining that the movement would continue its campaign.
He said the alleged blockade would not discourage the group from organising future meetings, rallies and demonstrations.
“The Court of Appeal decision stands. I do not need to inform any security agent to hold my rallies. Next time, we are going to protest; next time we are going to demonstrate; next time we are going to hit the ground,” Hikima declared.
His remarks were followed by chants of “Tinubu Must Go” from members of the movement present at the venue.
Police Yet to Respond to Allegations
Efforts to obtain an immediate response from the Kano State Police Command were unsuccessful.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, did not answer calls or respond to text messages and WhatsApp messages sent to him seeking clarification on why the venue was reportedly barricaded.
The police had therefore not publicly explained the specific circumstances surrounding the deployment at the time of reporting.
The allegations made by Hikima could not be independently verified, and the police had not provided an official account of the incident in response to the enquiries.
Debate Over Civil Liberties and Public Order
The incident has brought renewed attention to the balance between citizens’ constitutional rights and the responsibility of security agencies to maintain public order.
Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution protects freedom of expression, while Section 40 guarantees the right to assemble freely and associate with others. These rights are central to democratic participation, including the ability of citizens to criticise public officials and advocate political change.
However, the exercise of these rights remains subject to applicable laws and lawful restrictions. The legality of any police action in this case would depend on the circumstances, the legal basis for the deployment and whether the measures taken were necessary and proportionate.
The controversy also underscores the importance of transparency and communication between political groups and law enforcement agencies, particularly as political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections continues.
While the TMG movement insists that its gathering was peaceful and lawful, an official explanation from the Kano State Police Command would help clarify the reasons for the reported blockade and the circumstances surrounding the disruption of the planned meeting.
