Shettima, Nentawe, Yari, Governors Unite to Return Tinubu as Uba Sani Hosts Mother of All Rallies, Tinubu Unveils Scorecard on Infrastructure, Security, Economy
By Tom Garba
The All Progressives Congress (APC) did more than flag off its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) activities in Kaduna on Saturday; it sent a strong political message about its determination to secure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. The event projected a party eager to showcase its unity, organisational strength and readiness for the next presidential contest.
The rally at the Kaduna Township Stadium brought together President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, and the PCC Director-General, Senator Abdulaziz Yari. Also in attendance were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, lawmakers and APC governors, with Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani serving as the chief host. Their presence underscored the party’s effort to project a united front ahead of the 2027 elections.
A Gathering That Projected Unity
The convergence of the President, his deputy, the party’s national leadership, campaign officials, lawmakers and governors offered APC an opportunity to demonstrate cohesion at a critical stage of its political mobilisation. The gathering also reinforced the party’s determination to rally behind Tinubu and support its candidates across the country in the forthcoming elections.
Unlike the internal disagreements and leadership disputes confronting some opposition parties, the APC used the Kaduna event to display its organisational reach across different levels of government. From ward and local government structures to state and federal institutions, the party sought to present itself as a political platform with the machinery to sustain a nationwide campaign.
Tinubu’s Administration Puts Achievements on Display
Beyond the political spectacle, the rally provided a platform for the ruling party to highlight projects and policies it believes could strengthen its case for a second term. Infrastructure, security and economic reforms featured prominently in the administration’s record presented to supporters.
Among the projects highlighted was the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, with the article citing a commitment of N740bn to its reconstruction and reporting that the project was about 95 per cent complete. The piece also pointed to road construction across the North-East, claiming that more than 1,000 kilometres of roads had been constructed in the region.
On security, the campaign focused on improved safety along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, which had previously been associated with frequent kidnappings and attacks. The administration’s supporters presented the situation as evidence of progress in the government’s security efforts, although the extent of such improvements remains a matter for independent assessment.
The rally also featured the government’s economic reforms and interventions in agriculture, healthcare and education. APC supporters argued that these measures were laying the foundation for economic recovery and long-term development, making them central to the party’s message ahead of 2027.
Opposition Parties Face Internal Challenges
While the APC sought to project unity in Kaduna, its supporters drew attention to the internal difficulties confronting opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party and African Democratic Congress.
Leadership disputes, legal battles, defections and disagreements over party control have weakened the public image of some opposition platforms. Governor Uba Sani had also criticised opposition parties for what he described as their limited grassroots structures, arguing that some relied heavily on social media and publicity rather than sustained engagement with voters.
For the APC, such challenges provide an opportunity to present itself as a more organised and electorally prepared alternative. However, the opposition’s internal difficulties do not automatically guarantee victory for the ruling party, which will still need to convince voters through its performance and campaign promises.
Security and the Road to 2027
The large turnout and conduct of the Kaduna rally also placed security arrangements in the spotlight. The event offered an opportunity for security agencies to demonstrate their capacity to manage major political gatherings in a state that has experienced serious security challenges in the past.
The article also alleged that political actors linked to opposition presidential hopeful Atiku Abubakar sponsored thugs to cause disturbances in parts of Kaduna metropolis in an attempt to discredit the rally. Such allegations require independent verification, and no conclusion should be drawn about responsibility without credible supporting evidence.
The ability of security agencies to protect political gatherings and maintain public order will remain important as parties intensify campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections. A peaceful rally, however, is not by itself proof that the country is fully prepared for all the security and logistical demands of a credible nationwide election.
APC Positions Itself as a Formidable Contender
The Kaduna flag-off has given the APC an opportunity to demonstrate its political organisation, showcase the Tinubu administration’s record and rally its leaders around a common electoral objective. The presence of key party figures and governors reinforced the message that the ruling party intends to approach the 2027 contest with a coordinated campaign.
With Tinubu as its presidential candidate, the APC will seek to build its case around its achievements, policy direction, party structure and nationwide support base. The opposition, meanwhile, will have to address its internal challenges and present a compelling alternative to voters.
The road to the 2027 elections may have gained momentum in Kaduna, but the ultimate outcome will depend on more than the size of rallies or displays of party unity. The APC’s challenge will be to translate its political mobilisation and claims of achievement into sustained public confidence and votes at the ballot box.
Tom Garba, ANIPR, SPSP, FIMC, is a policy, politics and crisis analyst and Executive Director of KSMC-TV. He writes from Kaduna.
