Atiku’s Sokoto rally sees supporters chant ‘Tinubu Must Go’ amid campaign disputes

Atiku’s Sokoto flag‑off draws large crowd

On 5 November, Atiku Abubakar, the All‑Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate, launched his campaign in Sokoto State. The event attracted a sizeable audience, and supporters repeatedly shouted “Tinubu Must Go.” The rally was billed by the party as evidence of growing dissatisfaction with the current administration. Atiku used the platform to pledge action against insecurity and to propose targeted fuel subsidies for petroleum products refined in Nigeria. He also accused the Sokoto state government of denying the campaign access to public facilities, hotels and other services in the days leading up to the rally. The state government has yet to respond to these allegations.

Background

Atiku Abubakar has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics for decades, having served as Vice‑President from 1999 to 2007. His decision to run again in 2027 under the ANPP banner follows a period of internal party realignments and a broader national debate over the conduct of the upcoming elections. The slogan “Tinubu Must Go” reflects a broader trend of opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has faced criticism over security and economic issues. The rally’s focus on targeted fuel subsidies echoes Atiku’s long‑standing advocacy for energy sector reforms.

Why it matters

The rally’s size and the chant of opposition slogans signal a potentially significant shift in public sentiment ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The ANPP’s claims that state authorities denied them access to facilities could indicate a pattern of political bias that may affect campaign logistics for other parties. In the same week, the Labour Party’s Peter Obi condemned an attack on his convoy in Calabar, Cross River State, highlighting concerns about political violence. Police arrested a 27‑year‑old suspect and claimed to have prevented a clash between supporters of the All‑Progressive Congress (APC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) near the venue.

Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili has questioned the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ability to conduct credible elections. Following disclosures that certain registration staff fabricated entries, including using AI-created images, she is urging the creation of a neutral group of citizens to examine the electoral roll. The Independent National Electoral Commission has purged over 1.2 million bogus entries from its database, while roughly 268,000 cases remain pending, and the body has committed to delivering a verified list by 15 December.

These developments underscore the stakes for voters: a clean register and fair campaigning conditions are essential for a credible electoral process. The gathering further highlighted wider concerns regarding the fairness of elections, coinciding with a widely shared clip that cautioned that trading in ballots constitutes a crime under the Electoral Act.

What happens next

The ANPP has not yet issued a formal response to the state government’s denial of facilities. The state authorities are expected to address the allegations in the coming days. Meanwhile, INEC will continue its audit of the voters’ register, with the deadline for a clean list set for 15 December. The police investigation into the Calabar convoy attack remains ongoing, with the suspect’s case still in progress. The APC has not yet responded to Peter Obi’s allegations of political violence.

The election campaign will continue to unfold across Nigeria, with each party monitoring the political climate and addressing any logistical or security challenges that arise.