Members of the Tinubu Must Go (TMG) movement have accused the police of preventing them from accessing a meeting venue in Kano State, raising concerns over their right to peaceful assembly and political expression ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abba Hikima, a lawyer and one of the conveners of the movement, raised the alarm on Sunday, October 11, 2026, alleging that security operatives had deployed more than 10 mobile police vehicles to the venue of their planned meeting.
In a live video shared on his verified Facebook page, Hikima was seen wearing a shirt and fez cap bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go” as policemen appeared in the background.
The movement said it intended to hold the meeting to educate Nigerians and mobilise public support for voting out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
According to the group, its activities are driven by opposition to the administration’s economic policies, which it claims have worsened hardship for citizens.
Abba Hikima Accuses Police of Blocking Access to Venue
Speaking during the Facebook livestream, Hikima said the gathering was intended to allow members to exercise their fundamental rights to freedom of association and expression.
He alleged that the police presence prevented the group from accessing a private event centre it had paid to use for the meeting.
“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,” he said.
Hikima criticised the alleged deployment of mobile police officers, describing it as an attempt to frustrate the group’s activities.
He maintained that the meeting was peaceful and that members had committed no offence by organising the gathering.
The lawyer also accused the government of suppressing political expression, insisting that the alleged blockade reinforced the movement’s opposition to the Tinubu administration.
Hikima Explains Conversation With Kano Police Commissioner
Hikima disclosed that he had spoken with the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, before the planned meeting.
According to him, the commissioner had advised him to inform the police about the gathering, citing the need for proper communication with security authorities.
Hikima, however, said he explained that the programme would take place within an enclosed venue and that the organisers intended to conduct themselves peacefully.
He argued that citizens should not require police permission to hold such gatherings, citing constitutional provisions on fundamental rights.
The TMG convener referenced Sections 35, 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, in support of his position on personal liberty, freedom of expression and freedom of association.
He further maintained that wearing clothing bearing the “Tinubu Must Go” inscription was a form of political expression and should not be treated as an offence.
According to Hikima, the movement would continue its activities despite the alleged obstruction.
Tinubu Must Go Movement Vows to Continue Activities
Hikima vowed that the movement would return for future meetings and potentially organise protests and demonstrations to advance its campaign against the president.
Amid chants of “Tinubu Must Go” from supporters, he insisted that the group would not abandon its plans to mobilise Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The movement describes itself as a non-partisan platform focused on public enlightenment and encouraging voters to reject Tinubu’s administration at the polls.
Its position centres on dissatisfaction with the government’s economic policies and what members say is the resulting hardship experienced by Nigerians.
However, the allegations concerning the police blockade and the circumstances surrounding the planned meeting had yet to receive an official response from the Kano State Police Command as of the time of reporting.
Kano Police Yet to Respond to Allegations
Efforts to obtain the police command’s explanation were unsuccessful.
The Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, reportedly did not answer telephone calls or respond to text messages and WhatsApp messages sent to him seeking clarification on why officers allegedly barricaded the meeting venue.
The police command’s position on the incident therefore remained unclear at the time of publication.
The development comes as political groups and prospective campaigners prepare for the 2027 general elections, with the TMG movement seeking to build opposition to Tinubu through public enlightenment and political mobilisation.