Tinubu launches 2027 campaign in Kaduna amid rival criticism

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Kaduna State on Saturday for the launch of the All Progressives Congress' 2027 presidential campaign. Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana, joined the event. According to reports, supporters of the campaign began gathering at the venue on Friday evening, with some sleeping overnight to secure seats. By Saturday morning, crowds had assembled both inside and outside the stadium, creating what was described as a carnival-like atmosphere.

Arewa for Asiwaju, a political support group backing Tinubu, stated it aimed to bring 10,000 supporters from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory to the rally. At the event, the president addressed his second-term ambition, saying a renewed mandate would allow his administration to sustain ongoing reforms and development projects. He also responded to opponents' criticism of economic conditions, stating: 'I hear my opponent talking about hunger, poverty. Who created it? They did! They created the hunger, they created the poverty. We are trying to eradicate it.'

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, speaking at the rally, said the president's performance should form the basis for voters' decisions in the 2027 election rather than regional considerations. Sani claimed Tinubu had delivered on key promises to Kaduna and the North.

The opposition Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organization dismissed the Kaduna rally, declaring that insecurity, economic hardship and alleged marginalisation of the North would cost Tinubu re-election. The group previously compared Tinubu to a 'modern-day Pharaoh', stating that his claim during Nigeria's 66th Independence Day that the country was approaching a 'promised land' contradicted the realities of hunger, hardship, hopelessness and uncertainty facing Nigerians.

The All Progressives Congress accused Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress of plotting to discredit the campaign event. The APC alleged that both deployed fake documents, doctored images and deepfake videos to create negative impressions of the rally.

Support groups also mobilised for the event. RELAX, described by its leadership as a sister organisation to the City Boy Movement and founded by Seyi Tinubu, the president's son, rallied support for the re-election bid. Ahmed Bala, the director general of RELAX, attended the Kaduna event to gather backing.