Yobe APC Rallies for Tinubu Amid Opposition Calls for His Exit

The All Progressives Congress in Yobe State held a rally to show support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. The event aimed to counter the opposition's slogan, ‘Tinubu Must Go’. Thousands of supporters turned out for the rally on Saturday in Damaturu, the state capital. The theme for the rally was ‘Tinubu Must Go Again, Cika Alkawari’. The Tinubu Must Go Again Movement organized it in partnership with the state APC leadership.

This mobilisation followed a protest by hundreds of youths in Potiskum Local Government Area on October 1, which was Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. The youths demanded Tinubu's removal due to economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and claims of poor governance. Some protesters waved flags of the African Democratic Congress, showing their discontent with the President’s Independence Day speech. They felt it did not address the issues Nigerians are facing.

In a show of support, thousands of youths, women, and other APC members marched through the main streets of Damaturu. They endorsed Tinubu’s ambition for a second term and also supported the APC’s governorship candidate, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali. The Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Dr Mohammed Goje, led the party's stakeholders and supporters in this solidarity walk. The march was coordinated by the movement’s National Coordinator, Professor Sherif Almuhajir, and state coordinator, Dr Mukhtar Yarima Bularafa.

The procession started at the Damaturu flyover and ended at the Pilgrim Commission Office Complex along the Damaturu-Potiskum Road. Participants waved banners, held up posters of Tinubu, and carried APC flags. They also displayed placards that highlighted what they described as the achievements of Tinubu’s administration.

At the rally, Goje stated that Yobe had strong reasons to back Tinubu. He mentioned that the state benefited from the collaboration between Governor Mai Mala Buni and the Federal Government. Goje said, “Yobe State has every reason to support President Tinubu. The achievements recorded by Governor Mai Mala Buni have been made possible, in part, by the support and cooperation of the President.”

He urged residents to keep supporting the APC, emphasizing that the partnership between the state and the Federal Government is essential for Yobe’s progress. Similarly, Almuhajir called on Nigerians to back Tinubu’s re-election, pointing out what he called the President’s accomplishments nationwide. He said, “President Tinubu deserves another term in office. We believe in his leadership and are committed to mobilising support for him at the grassroots ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

He added that the movement would ramp up efforts to strengthen APC's support in the state. The rally also served as a chance for APC supporters to reaffirm their support for Wali’s governorship bid as political activities heat up in Yobe.

The APC rally in Damaturu lasted from about 7:30am to 11:30am on Saturday. It ended peacefully, with no reported security issues. Reports suggest that these two gatherings highlight the different political views emerging from Yobe State as both supporters of the ruling party and critics of the Tinubu administration prepare for the 2027 elections.