President Bola Tinubu arrived in Kaduna State on Saturday for the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana, also arrived in the state for the event.
The President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, announced President Tinubu’s arrival in a post on X, saying he was received by Shettima and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad also shared footage of President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu disembarking from the presidential aircraft.
In a statement, Shettima’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, said party leaders, governors, elected officials, political stakeholders and supporters were gathering at the Kaduna Township Stadium for the commencement of the nationwide campaign.
Nkwocha said the event would provide the APC an opportunity to present its “Renewed Hope 2.0” plan and showcase the President Tinubu administration’s achievements.
Ahead of the President’s arrival, security operatives sealed off key locations across Kaduna metropolis, with personnel of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service and Kaduna State Vigilance Service deployed across the city.
Security personnel manned major roundabouts and roads leading to the campaign venue. Muhammadu Buhari Way, formerly known as WAFF Road, was blocked, while the Ahmadu Bello Stadium roundabout was guarded by armed security operatives.
The security measures disrupted traffic in parts of the metropolis, causing gridlock from Junction Road to Ahmadu Bello Way and leaving some motorists and commuters stranded.
The campaign flag-off marks a fresh phase of the APC’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, as President Tinubu seeks a second term in office.