2027: North in focus as ‘Tinubu Must Go’ campaign gathers momentum

The Tinubu Must Go Movement, TMG, is attracting attention in Northern Nigeria amid concerns over the cost of living, insecurity and demands for better governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Barrister Hamza Nuhu Dantani, one of the movement’s co-founders, told DAILY POST that the campaign was driven by the economic difficulties facing Nigerians and the need for greater accountability from the government.

Dantani said the movement was not motivated by personal hatred for President Bola Tinubu but by concerns about his administration’s policies and their impact on ordinary citizens.

“We do not hate President Tinubu as a person. Our concern is with his administration, its policies, and their impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

He identified rising petrol prices, the increasing cost of essential goods and persistent insecurity as some of the major issues driving the campaign.

According to him, the movement is demanding economic relief, improved security, accountability and a government that prioritises the welfare of citizens.

“The Tinubu Must Go movement must remain focused, peaceful, and committed to its mission of demanding better leadership and a better future for Nigeria,” Dantani said.

He added that the group would continue to hold governments accountable, regardless of the political party in power.

Dantani said the movement would also demand change from any future administration that failed to fulfil its campaign promises, insisting that its activities would remain peaceful and within the law.

“Our loyalty is not to any individual or political party; it is to the Nigerian people and the future of our country,” he said.

He described TMG as a campaign for accountability, good governance and meaningful change, arguing that Nigerians deserved leadership that addressed their concerns.

Analyst examines TMG’s influence in the North

Political analyst and National Vice-President of the Nigerian Political Science Association, Professor Murtala Muhammad, said TMG appeared to be gaining support among some young people in Northern Nigeria.

However, he said the movement would need to establish a strong grassroots presence and address the everyday challenges facing residents to translate its growing visibility into sustained political support.

Muhammad told DAILY POST that the campaign was emerging against the backdrop of economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, poverty and declining purchasing power.

“TMG appears to have gained considerable acceptance among a segment of the youth population in Northern Nigeria, reflecting evolving political consciousness, prevailing socioeconomic realities, and growing demands for accountable governance,” he said.

He cautioned that public attention alone was not enough to establish the movement’s political strength.

According to him, its influence would depend on its organisational structure, geographical spread, grassroots mobilisation and ability to demonstrate meaningful electoral support.

On whether TMG could help the opposition defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2027, Muhammad said the movement could contribute to political realignment but would not necessarily dislodge the governing party on its own.

“Electoral outcomes in Nigeria are shaped by the interplay of public dissatisfaction, credible alternatives, effective mobilisation, coalition-building, candidate credibility, and the capacity to translate political sentiment into votes,” he said.

He explained that TMG could influence elections in closely contested constituencies if it succeeded in mobilising dissatisfied voters, attracting undecided citizens and encouraging cooperation among opposition groups.

“If TMG can mobilise disillusioned voters, attract undecided constituencies, and facilitate strategic cooperation among opposition forces, it could significantly influence electoral calculations in competitive constituencies,” Muhammad added.

He stressed, however, that the movement would need to transform public dissatisfaction into a coordinated and electorally viable political force to make a significant impact.

Economic hardship and insecurity remain key issues

The political analyst also cautioned against attributing any decline in President Tinubu’s or the APC’s popularity in Northern Nigeria solely to the Tinubu Must Go campaign.

He said political opinions across the region were shaped by several factors, including economic performance, insecurity, the cost of living, relations between federal and state governments, established political networks and the credibility of opposition parties.

Muhammad said TMG could provide an additional platform for Nigerians dissatisfied with the government to express their concerns, but its actual influence on the APC’s support base would require further evidence.

He identified credible opinion polls, constituency-level assessments and systematic analysis of voting intentions as necessary tools for determining the movement’s political impact.

“The fundamental question is whether the movement can convert existing discontent into sustained political mobilisation capable of reshaping the North’s electoral landscape in 2027,” he said.