Yes, there’s a political dimension to it, based on what’s been reported since late 2024 into 2025.
Organizers and framing: Groups like the Take It Back Movement and other civil society orgs have led protests labeled #End bad governance and June 12/Democracy Day protests. Their stated demands are economic hardship, insecurity, and “two years of misrule” under President Tinubu.
Political actors getting involved:
Opposition figures and parties have been linked to supporting or echoing the protests. The Coalition of United Political Parties CUPP criticized Tinubu’s electoral act amendments as undermining citizens who want to “vote out the current leadership in 2027”.
Pro-Tinubu groups have counter-mobilized, calling protests a “ploy to sabotage Tinubu’s re-election” and accusing organizers of having a “clear political agenda to tear the nation apart”.
The Presidency itself has claimed some “disgruntled religious and past political leaders” are working to “compel a forceful and undemocratic change of leadership”.
Overlaps with 2027 election positioning:
Reports from late 2024 show Atiku Abubakar promoting opposition parties to “come together” to “kick out this incompetent and clueless government”. Former President Obasanjo has also been hosted for talks on “the future of politics and governance”. So the protests are happening in the same environment where opposition realignment for 2027 is already underway.
That doesn’t mean every protester has a party agenda. Many cite economic hardship, fuel subsidy removal, inflation, and insecurity as direct grievances. But the timing, messaging, and responses from political actors show there’s a political lining in how the protests are being framed and used.
Nigeria has a long history of protests aimed at removing or forcing out presidents/leaders:
June 12 Protests 1993: After Gen. Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election won by MKO Abiola, massive protests in the SW demanded the result be upheld. The pressure contributed to Babangida “stepping aside” in August 1993.
Occupy Nigeria 2012: Protests against President Goodluck Jonathan’s removal of fuel subsidy, which caused petrol prices to jump from ₦65 to ₦141. For nearly 2 weeks, labor unions and civil society shut down major cities. The government partially reinstated subsidies.
Yar’Adua health protests 2010: Activists demanded President Yar’Adua appear publicly or be removed after 93 days abroad for medical treatment. Information Minister Dora Akunyili advised invoking the constitution to remove him.
EndSARS 2020: Started against police brutality but evolved into broader anti-government sentiment. President Buhari said in a TV interview the protests were “to remove me from the office”.
Anti-SAP riots 1989, Ali Must Go 1978, 1964 General Strike: Earlier examples where protests targeted government policies and led to concessions or political fallout.
In conclusion, protests to pressure or remove presidents are not new in Nigeria. The current ones share the same pattern: economic and governance grievances as the public trigger, with opposition politicians and pro-government actors trying to shape the narrative for their own interests ahead of 2027.
– Benjamin Ibrahim writes from Lokoja, Kogi state.
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