BENIN CITY, Edo State — Protesters took to the streets and markets of Benin City on Sunday, chanting “Tinubu Must Go, APC Must Go” in a demonstration of frustration over soaring inflation, high fuel prices, and the rising cost of living under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Videos circulating widely on social media show crowds of mostly young men marching through busy streets lined with shops and market stalls. One energetic man in a cream-coloured shirt filmed himself leading the chants, raising his fist and urging others to join as participants moved along the road under a bright sky.
Smoke was visible in the background in some footage, with people walking and gathering amid the commercial area.
The demonstration highlighted public discontent with economic pressures that have affected households and businesses across Nigeria, including the costs of food, transport, fuel, and electricity. Organisers or specific demands beyond the core chants against the president and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were not clearly identified in circulating videos, and independent verification of the exact size of the crowd remains limited.
The protest stands in sharp contrast to recent political mobilisation by the APC in Edo State. Governor Monday Okpebholo and party leaders, along with various ethnic groups, have publicly pledged to deliver 2.5 million votes for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. In early October, inter-ethnic groups staged a road walk through Benin metropolis from King Square through Mission Road, affirming support for the president and the APC. Okpebholo has repeatedly emphasised the target as a show of gratitude for federal support and development efforts in the state.
Edo APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe has also spoken of the party’s determination to meet the 2.5 million-vote goal, though some of his remarks drew criticism. Social media users and commentators quickly noted the irony of the Sunday protest occurring in a state where such ambitious electoral pledges were recently made.
The “Tinubu Must Go” slogan has appeared in other parts of the country in recent months, including activities linked to activists in the North and earlier demonstrations. It reflects broader debates over the impact of economic reforms and living standards ahead of the 2027 general elections. Similar expressions of discontent have been reported in various states, though authorities have intervened in some planned gatherings elsewhere.
No immediate official response from the Edo State government or federal authorities regarding the Benin City protest was available at the time of reporting. The videos continue to spread online, adding to discussions about public sentiment in the commercial hub of southern Nigeria.
Residents and observers online described the scenes as evidence of widespread hardship, with some calling for broader national action. The event underscores the challenges facing the ruling party as it works to consolidate support in key states like Edo less than a year before the next presidential contest.
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