Abuja, September 20, 2026 — Protesters took to the streets in Nyanya, Abuja, on Saturday, chanting “Tinubu Must Go” and expressing frustration with the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), according to video footage shared on social media.
An Instagram Reel posted by user Nweke Mmaduabuchi Valentine (@cruisenaija28) on September 19 captured scenes from the demonstration under the caption “TINUBU MUST GO! protest in Nyanya abuja. Nigerians are tired of Apc/Tinubu…#trend.”
The short video, which has drawn comments reflecting widespread economic hardship and political discontent, shows crowds in the area.
Independent reports confirm related unrest in the same corridor on Saturday. According to Daily Trust, hundreds of mostly commercial motorcycle (okada) riders and other young people assembled along the Nyanya axis and Kugbo in Asokoro, Abuja Municipal Area Council.
They chanted “ba muayi” (Hausa for “we are no longer interested”), barricaded sections of the busy Abuja-Keffi/Nyanya highway, set bonfires, and threatened vehicles attempting to leave the Nyanya park.
The demonstration caused significant traffic disruption, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Security operatives, including police, Civil Defence personnel, and soldiers, attempted to contain the crowd and prevent them from advancing toward the Karu bridge.
Protesters reportedly defied teargas and gunshots, forcing their way forward at points. A Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier restricted protests to the Moshood Abiola Stadium, but groups gathered at multiple locations across the capital.
The Nyanya-Karu corridor has previously been a flashpoint for anti-government demonstrations. In June 2026, similar protests over school kidnappings and insecurity saw youths occupy the bridge, chanting “Tinubu must go, bring back our children,” and causing gridlock that required military intervention.
Saturday’s action appears driven primarily by economic grievances. Protesters insisted they would remain on the streets until demands for an improved economy were met. The demonstrations form part of a wider pattern of public discontent under the Tinubu administration, which has faced criticism over the cost of living, insecurity, and governance since assuming office in 2023.
A separate “Tinubu Must Go” political mobilisation campaign has also emerged in recent weeks, calling for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
As of Sunday, there was no immediate official statement from the Presidency or the Federal Capital Territory Administration specifically addressing the Nyanya protest. Security forces continued efforts to restore order along the affected highway.
No confirmed reports of fatalities from the Saturday clashes in Nyanya were available at the time of publication, though the use of force by security agencies has drawn attention in past similar events.
Videos of the Nyanya demonstration continued circulating on platforms including X and Instagram on Sunday, amplifying calls for change while also attracting mixed reactions, ranging from support for the protesters to criticism of disruption and calls for national unity.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s capital as the country heads toward the 2027 general elections amid persistent economic and security challenges.
About the Author
