President Bola Tinubu arrived in Kaduna State on Saturday for the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress’ 2027 presidential campaign.
Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana Shettima, also arrived in the state for the event, which is expected to attract APC leaders, governors, elected officials, political stakeholders and supporters.
Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad disclosed Tinubu’s arrival in a post on X, stating that the Director-General of the campaign and the APC National Chairman were at the airport to receive the President after his aircraft landed in Kaduna.
In a separate post featuring a video of Tinubu and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, disembarking from the presidential aircraft, the arrival was announced with the words, “Touched down.”
The President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, also confirmed the arrival, saying Tinubu and the First Lady had landed in Kaduna for the campaign flag-off.
Olusegun added that the President was received by Shettima and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani.
Shettima’s arrival was confirmed in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
APC Leaders, Supporters Converge on Kaduna
According to Nkwocha, party leaders, governors, elected officials, political stakeholders and supporters were converging on the Kaduna Township Stadium for the commencement of the nationwide presidential campaign.
He said the event places Kaduna at the centre of the APC’s campaign activities and provides the party with an opportunity to present its “Renewed Hope 2.0” plan while highlighting the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
“The stage is set. Kaduna is ready. The 2027 campaign begins!” the statement read.
It added, “Asiwaju is here. Northwest for the takeaway!”
The campaign flag-off marks a major mobilisation effort by the ruling party as it prepares for the 2027 general election, with party leaders and support groups expected to rally behind Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
Security Tightened Ahead of Tinubu’s Arrival
Earlier on Saturday, security operatives sealed off key locations across Kaduna metropolis ahead of the President’s arrival.
Personnel from the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service and Kaduna State Vigilance Service were deployed to strategic locations across the city.
Security personnel were stationed at major roundabouts and along roads leading to the event venue.
Muhammadu Buhari Way, formerly known as WAFF Road, was blocked by security operatives along the route through which the President and his entourage were expected to travel.
The Ahmadu Bello Stadium roundabout was also manned by heavily armed soldiers, police officers and plain-clothes operatives.
The heightened security presence disrupted traffic in parts of the metropolis, resulting in gridlock that stretched from Junction Road to Ahmadu Bello Way.
Motorists and commuters were stranded as movement was restricted along some major routes.
The APC’s campaign flag-off comes amid preparations for the 2027 general election, with the party seeking to consolidate its support and mobilise voters behind Tinubu’s second-term ambition.