An Independence Day 5-kilometre run in Warri, Delta State, was reportedly disrupted on Thursday after some youths rejected branded polo shirts distributed at the event, tore them apart and set them on fire while chanting support for Peter Obi.
The incident reportedly occurred on October 1, 2026, as participants gathered at PTI Junction for the fitness event organised by Soft Nigeria, a support group associated with President Bola Tinubu, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
Key Highlights
- Youths at a reported Independence Day run in Warri rejected Tinubu-branded polo shirts.
- Videos circulating online appeared to show some participants tearing and burning the shirts.
- Some youths were heard chanting “Obi, Obi, Obi” during the incident.
- The event was reportedly organised by Soft Nigeria at PTI Junction.
- Reports described the incident as a dispute over political branding at a fitness event.
- No injuries or physical assaults were reported in the accounts reviewed.
- Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso are contesting the 2027 presidential election on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) platform.
Youths Reject Branded Shirts
According to reports and videos circulating on social media, organisers began distributing green “Soft Nigeria” polo shirts bearing or incorporating Tinubu’s image after participants assembled at PTI Junction.
Some youths reportedly rejected the shirts, with videos appearing to show them ripping the garments apart before setting them on fire.
The youths were also heard chanting “Obi, Obi, Obi” as the incident unfolded.
The available videos provide visual evidence of shirt-burning, but do not independently establish the identities or political affiliations of all the people involved.
Dispute Over Political Branding
Reports described the development as a disagreement between participants who supported the Tinubu-linked organisers and others who identified with Peter Obi.
Some participants reportedly complained that they had expected a fitness event rather than an activity involving political branding.
The available reports did not establish that the entire group of participants rejected the shirts or that all those chanting for Obi were formally affiliated with his political organisation.
No injuries or physical assaults were reported in the accounts reviewed.
Incident Spreads on Social Media
Videos of the incident quickly circulated on X and other social media platforms, showing people gathered around burning shirts while chanting and reacting to the development.
One widely shared post described the event as a Tinubu campaign that had turned into an apparent display of support for Obi.
However, social media reactions represent individual accounts and should not be treated as evidence of broader public opinion in Warri or Delta State.
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Obi, Kwankwaso Prepare for 2027 Election
The reported Warri incident comes amid increased political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
Peter Obi, who was the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso are currently running on the Nigeria Democratic Congress platform, with Obi as the presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as his running mate.
The NDC has also recently given Obi and Kwankwaso authority to nominate key officials of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council as preparations for the 2027 election intensify.
Organisers Yet to Issue Detailed Response
At the time of reporting, no detailed public response from the organisers addressing the reported shirt-burning incident had been independently established.
The videos circulating online remain the main visual documentation of the reported confrontation.
The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding political branding at public events as political mobilisation increases ahead of the 2027 elections.
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