TMS Youth Leader Challenges ‘Tinubu Must Go’ Campaigners to Condemn Political Violence Ahead of 2027
TMS Youth Leader Challenges ‘Tinubu Must Go’ Campaigners to Condemn Political Violence Ahead of 2027
The National Youth Leader of the Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation (TMS), Umar Farouk Bala, has challenged leaders and supporters of the Tinubu Must Go (TMG) campaign to publicly condemn political violence, attacks on convoys and destruction of campaign materials as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bala, in an article titled “Why ‘Tinubu Must Go’ Leaders Must Disown Violence Before 2027,” stressed that peaceful opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a legitimate democratic right, but warned that dissent should never degenerate into intimidation, vandalism or threats to public safety.
“No political ambition, however legitimate, is worth the blood of a Nigerian. No campaign slogan, however popular, should become a licence for intimidation, destruction or violence,” he said.
His intervention followed reports of an incident at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque, Area 1, Garki, Abuja, where some worshippers and youths allegedly booed President Tinubu and chanted “Tinubu Must Go” following Juma’at prayers.
Bala acknowledged conflicting accounts surrounding videos purportedly showing objects being thrown towards the President’s convoy, noting that the Presidency disputed claims that the convoy was stoned. He cautioned that responsibility should not be assigned without credible evidence.
He argued, however, that the controversy raised broader concerns about allowing partisan confrontation to spill into places of worship.
According to him, peacefully chanting political slogans is protected democratic expression, but threatening worshippers, throwing objects or endangering bystanders would cross the line into potentially unlawful conduct.
Bala also cited reports of destroyed political campaign materials in Abia, Zamfara and Kano states as indications of rising political intolerance. He stressed that the perpetrators of such incidents should not be presumed to belong to any movement or party without evidence.
‘Condemn Violence Unequivocally’
Bala called on prominent TMG figures to clearly distance themselves from violence, while emphasising that he was not accusing the movement’s leadership of organising any of the reported incidents.
“This is not an accusation that TMG leaders organised the Abuja incident or sponsored attacks elsewhere. Such conclusions require evidence. Rather, it is a demand for responsible political leadership,” he said.
According to him, groups mobilising citizens for political change have a responsibility to define acceptable conduct, discourage confrontation and cooperate with lawful investigations.
He stressed that the same standard must apply to the ruling All Progressives Congress and every other political organisation.
“Violence against an opposition leader deserves the same condemnation as violence against the President,” Bala said, citing the reported attack on former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy in Calabar as another example of conduct that should be condemned irrespective of political affiliation.
TMS Advocates Evidence-Based Political Debate
Bala said TMS, popularly known as Tinubu Must Stay, had chosen to promote its position through policy communication, grassroots engagement and public debate rather than confrontation with political opponents.
He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the Three Million Technical Talent programme, tax reforms and recent economic indicators among issues the movement has used to argue in support of the administration.
However, Bala acknowledged that such figures should remain open to scrutiny and must ultimately be judged by their impact on household welfare.
“Supporting the administration should not require denying the economic difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
“The strongest defence of any government is not the volume of its publicity but the evidence that its policies are improving people’s lives.”
He added that TMS was planning a youth empowerment programme focused on applying artificial intelligence to business and entrepreneurship, describing skills development as a more productive outlet for young Nigerians than political confrontation.
Protect Dissent and Places of Worship
Bala called on security agencies to investigate credible threats surrounding political activities and places of worship while cautioning against profiling opposition supporters or suppressing peaceful dissent.
He stressed that chanting either “Tinubu Must Go” or “Tinubu Must Stay” should, by itself, remain within the democratic space available to Nigerians.
Any individual found responsible for violence, vandalism or threats to public safety should instead face appropriate legal consequences regardless of party affiliation, he said.
Bala also appealed directly to young Nigerians to resist being recruited for political violence, warning that those arrested for assault or vandalism could face consequences long after the politicians they support have moved on.
He urged young people to channel their energy towards innovation, entrepreneurship, civic participation and peaceful political engagement.
“My message to Tinubu Must Go, Tinubu Must Stay and every political movement is simple: defend your convictions, challenge your opponents and mobilise your supporters, but reject violence without qualification,” Bala said.
He maintained that Nigeria’s 2027 political contests should ultimately be decided by competing ideas, credible programmes and voters at the ballot box rather than intimidation, vandalism or confrontation.
By TimesNG