Drama In Warri As Youths Tear Polos Bearing Tinubu’s Image At Independence Run

Drama unfolded in Warri, Delta State, on Thursday as youths who gathered for a proposed 5km Independence Day Run at PTI Junction protested after discovering that polos being distributed by the organisers carried an image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Videos trending on social media on Thursday showed a crowd gathered at the venue, with some youths tearing the distributed “Soft Nigeria” branded polos and expressing anger over what they described as a political message being introduced into the event.

According to accounts accompanying the videos, the youths had turned up for what was presented as a 5km Independence Day Run but were surprised when the organisers began distributing polos bearing an image of Tinubu concealed within the design.

The development angered some of the participants, who accused the organisers of misleading them about the nature of the event.

In one of the videos, some youths could be heard rejecting the shirts, with the phrase, “We no go wear,” repeatedly heard as some participants removed and tore the polos.

Other footage showed members of the crowd chanting, “Obi! Obi! Obi!” in an apparent reference to Peter Obi, the Nigerian Democratic Congress presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Some of the youths were also seen threatening to boycott the run following the discovery.

The videos further showed some participants setting fire to the torn clothing, although the circumstances surrounding the burning could not be independently established from the footage.

The incident has generated reactions on social media, with some users alleging that the proposed Independence Day Run was being used to promote the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tinubu.