African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore on Tuesday led protesters through parts of Abuja, with demonstrators demanding the exit of President Bola Tinubu.
Sowore was seen at the head of the demonstration in videos from the protest, chanting “Tinubu must go” as protesters moved through streets in the Federal Capital Territory.
Also read: Sowore vows to scrap First Lady office if elected
Some of the demonstrators carried placards bearing photographs of President Tinubu alongside the message, “Tinubu must go”.
The protest adds to a series of demonstrations led or supported by Sowore and the #TakeItBack Movement in Abuja and other parts of the country in 2026, with previous protests focusing on insecurity, economic hardship and opposition to government policies.
Sowore has consistently used protests and public demonstrations to criticise the Tinubu administration and demand changes in the way the country is governed.
In June, he led protesters in Abuja amid concerns over insecurity and the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
Protesters at the time also chanted “Tinubu must go” alongside demands for the government to rescue abducted Nigerians.
The latest demonstration comes as Sowore prepares for the 2027 presidential election, in which he is the AAC candidate.
His opposition to the Tinubu administration has also featured prominently in his ongoing legal battle with the Department of State Services.
Sowore is standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over social media posts published in August 2025 in which he described Tinubu as a “criminal” and accused the President of misrepresenting the extent of corruption in Nigeria.
The prosecution has characterised the case as involving alleged cyberstalking and related offences, while Sowore has denied wrongdoing.
The trial entered another phase in September after the court directed Sowore to continue presenting his defence.
The proceedings have involved a dispute over whether DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi should personally appear as a defence witness.
On October 2, the prosecution opposed the defence’s insistence that the DSS chief should personally testify, arguing that it was impracticable for the agency’s director-general to attend every proceeding involving the Service.
Justice Mohammed Umar subsequently fixed October 6 for a ruling on whether Ajayi could be compelled to personally appear and testify.
Sowore’s legal case has remained intertwined with his political activities as he campaigns for the 2027 presidential election.
The activist has previously criticised reports that the trial could be suspended until after the election, although the prosecution later said it was not aware of such an arrangement.
The Abuja protest is therefore taking place against the backdrop of both Sowore’s presidential campaign and his continuing confrontation with the Federal Government.
The demonstrators’ latest demand is direct: that Tinubu should leave office.
However, the protest itself does not alter the President’s constitutional tenure, and any change in national leadership would be determined through the constitutional and electoral process.
Sowore’s campaign has positioned him as an outspoken critic of the current administration, while the Tinubu government continues to defend its policies and record in office.
Also read: Sowore vows to scrap First Lady office if elected
The latest Abuja demonstration underscores the continued political opposition to the administration as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
