President Bola Tinubu arrived in Kaduna State on Saturday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) commenced activities for its 2027 presidential election campaign.
Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana, were also in Kaduna to attend the campaign launch.
Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential aide, announced Tinubu’s arrival through a post on X, noting that the campaign’s Director-General and the APC National Chairman were present at the airport to welcome the President following the landing of his aircraft.
Ahmad subsequently shared a video showing Tinubu and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, exiting the presidential plane, accompanied by the caption, “Touched down.”
Dada Olusegun, the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, also confirmed their arrival, stating that Tinubu and his wife had travelled to Kaduna for the official commencement of the party’s presidential campaign. He disclosed that the President was welcomed by Shettima and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.
The Vice President’s arrival was announced separately by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
Nkwocha explained that APC governors, party executives, elected representatives, political associates and supporters were assembling at the Kaduna Township Stadium for the launch of the party’s nationwide campaign.
He described Kaduna as the focal point of the campaign’s opening activities, adding that the occasion would allow the ruling party to promote its “Renewed Hope 2.0” programme and publicise the administration’s achievements since Tinubu assumed office.
“The stage is set. Kaduna is ready. The 2027 campaign begins!” the statement declared.
The statement also carried the message, “Asiwaju is here. Northwest for the takeaway!”
Meanwhile, security agencies mounted extensive operations across Kaduna ahead of the President’s visit, restricting access to several important locations within the metropolis.
Security personnel from the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Kaduna State Vigilance Service were stationed at strategic points throughout the city.
The deployment covered major intersections, roundabouts and access roads leading to the venue of the political gathering.
Muhammadu Buhari Way, which was previously known as WAFF Road, was closed off by security operatives as authorities prepared for the movement of Tinubu and his entourage.
At the Ahmadu Bello Stadium roundabout, heavily armed soldiers, police officers and plain-clothes operatives were also deployed to reinforce security.
The restrictions, however, affected transportation across several neighbourhoods, triggering traffic congestion that reportedly stretched from Junction Road to Ahmadu Bello Way. Commuters and motorists were left waiting as movement along some major roads became difficult.
The Kaduna event marks the beginning of the APC’s intensified political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the party prepares to campaign for Tinubu’s return to office for another four-year term.
