Youths gathered in their hundreds at the prominent PTI Junction in Warri for a scheduled 5-kilometer Independence Day walk, jog, and cycle run. Tensions flared after organizers began handing out official event polo shirts—tagged under a "Soft Nigeria" branding effort—that allegedly concealed or featured the face of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to eyewitness accounts and viral video footage circulating across social media platforms, participants expressed anger at what they perceived as a covert political campaign disguised as a civic sports event. Outraged by the development, several youths tore up the branded t-shirts, while others set them on fire on the open highway.
The atmosphere quickly shifted into a political protest, with the crowd chanting slogans in support of opposition leader Peter Obi. Many participants openly refused to wear the garments, declaring that they would rather boycott the entire run than participate under conditions they described as politically forced.
Community members and observers at the scene noted that the attendees had turned up expecting a neutral fitness program to mark the nation's anniversary, making the sudden political messaging a major trigger for the pushback.
As of press time, event organizers and official government representatives in the state have yet to issue a statement addressing the incident or clarifying the sponsorship behind the branded kits. The situation at PTI Junction highlights rising public sensitivity toward political branding at community events across the region.