Tensions flared in Kano yesterday as scores of angry youths tore down campaign billboards bearing images of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in what many have described as a bold expression of public dissatisfaction with his administration.
The incident occurred in broad daylight, with videos circulating online showing the youths chanting and using sticks to dismantle the large political posters tagged “Fatan Alheri 2027,” believed to be part of early campaigning for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that security operatives were present at the scene but took no action to stop the destruction. The police appeared overwhelmed or simply uninterested in intervening, choosing instead to observe as the billboards were ripped apart.
“They just watched. Some of them even walked away,” said Musa Adamu, a trader at a nearby market who witnessed the event.
The protest reportedly happened shortly after the return of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the Hajj pilgrimage, although it is unclear whether the governor’s homecoming had any direct link to the outburst.
Social media has since been flooded with commentary, with many Nigerians praising the youths for standing up against what they perceive as failed leadership, while others expressed concern over the rising trend of public defiance.
Political analysts say the act is a reflection of deepening public frustration over insecurity, high inflation, and worsening economic hardship in the country.
“This is no longer just about party politics,” said a political commentator based in Abuja. “The streets are sending a strong message, and the silence of the police only confirms that the system is under pressure.”
As of the time of this report, no arrests have been made and neither the Kano State Government nor the Presidency has issued an official statement.
With elections still two years away, the destruction of Tinubu’s billboards in a key northern state like Kano signals a troubling shift that could reshape the political landscape ahead of 2027.
