‘Tinubu Must Go’ Movement Will Conduct Poll To Pick One Candidate If Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso Fail To Unite – Barrister Abba Hikima

Kano-based lawyer and convener of the “Tinubu Must Go” movement, Barrister Abba Hikima, says the movement will conduct its own poll to adopt a single consensus candidate if opposition leaders fail to unite ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking in an interview with Labarai24 TV, Hikima said a vast majority of Nigerians are convinced that the Tinubu administration must go. He cited prolonged economic hardship, insecurity, and what he described as flagrant constitutional violations.

Hikima argued that President Bola Tinubu won the 2023 election with about 8.7 million votes, representing 36% of total valid votes, which he described as a minority mandate.

He said Atiku Abubakar secured about 6.9 million votes representing 29%, Peter Obi secured 6.1 million votes representing 25%, and Rabiu Kwankwaso secured 1.4 million votes representing 6%.

According to him, the combined votes of Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso account for over 60% of total valid votes cast.

“If these political leaders unite, the idea of Tinubu retaining power becomes nonexistent. By God’s grace, if they unite, they will undoubtedly defeat him,” he said.

He said the movement is calling on opposition leaders to set aside personal ambitions and unite to save the country. He said if they are truly acting in the interest of the masses, they should form a united front since none of them currently holds executive power.

Hikima said if the call for unity is rejected, the Tinubu Must Go movement will on its own conduct an internal poll using structured methodologies to identify the candidate with the strongest grassroots support and back that candidate.

“True public service is not about title or ego. If necessary, even a former presidential candidate should be willing to serve in a lower capacity,” he added.

On whether the movement can unite the North and South, Hikima said consultations are already ongoing with colleagues in Southern Nigeria, adding that similar agitations exist in the South despite the hardship being more pronounced in the North.

He clarified that he did not coin the phrase “Tinubu Must Go” and that the movement is not a formal organization with leadership positions, but a collective driven by shared hardship.