“Global Outcry: Protesters Shame Tinubu at Windsor Castle, Call His Presidency a ‘Fraud’”
By Paul Ebi
A group of Nigerian activists under the Take It Back (TIB) movement staged a protest outside Windsor Castle, confronting supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and criticising the United Kingdom’s stance on Nigeria’s political leadership.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, demonstrators were seen holding placards with bold inscriptions such as “Nigeria is better without Tinubu,” alongside claims questioning the president’s background, including “Tinubu: Parents? Disputed” and “Tinubu: Age? Disputed.”
The protest, organised by TIB UK with backing from TIB Global, deliberately targeted the symbolic royal location to draw attention to what the group described as contradictions in the British establishment’s democratic values.
In a statement, the group accused UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of legitimising what it termed a “widely condemned rigged selection” that brought Tinubu to power. It further alleged that the state visit hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla amounted to an endorsement of electoral malpractice.
“This so-called honouring state visit is nothing more than political endorsement of electoral theft,” the statement read.
The protesters also accused the United Kingdom of double standards, arguing that celebrating Nigeria’s leadership undermines democratic principles when many citizens allegedly view the government as imposed.
“There is no honour in this. There is no dignity in rolling out royal pageantry for a leadership many Nigerians see as imposed, not elected,” the group added.
The activists extended their criticism to the British monarchy, referencing past controversies and asserting that former colonial powers lack the moral authority to validate Nigeria’s leadership.
“We reject the symbolism of this visit entirely… Inviting Tinubu to the palace does not confer legitimacy — it exposes complicity,” the statement said.
The protest comes amid ongoing concerns among some Nigerians over insecurity, economic hardship, and governance challenges.
Meanwhile, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has also criticised frequent foreign trips by Nigerian leaders, including Tinubu. Speaking on a recent programme on Channels Television, Sowore described such travels as unnecessary and driven by what he called “dishonesty” about Nigeria’s economic realities.
He argued that Nigeria possesses the potential to rival major global economies if properly governed.
“If Nigeria had been properly governed over the years, the economy would probably be competing bigger than that of the United Kingdom by now,” Sowore said.
He further alleged that multinational corporations, including Royal Dutch Shell, continue to generate significant profits from Nigeria’s resources while the country gains little in return.
Sowore also questioned the need for high-level foreign engagements to secure economic deals, suggesting such responsibilities should rest with relevant government agencies. He drew parallels with past administrations, including the era of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, noting that similar promises of economic benefits from international trips had historically yielded limited results.
Despite the criticism, the TIB movement vowed to sustain its campaign, insisting it would not be silenced.
“We refuse to be silent in the face of this injustice. We will not be intimidated. We will not be ignored. And we will not stop speaking out,” the group declared.
