- Ahead of Saturday flag-off
Security operatives have been deployed to guard campaign billboards and posters of President Bola Tinubu in Kaduna ahead of the planned flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign on Saturday.
Personnel of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were among those assigned to protect the campaign materials, particularly on major roads leading to the Kaduna Township Stadium, venue of the rally.
Reports quoted a security operative as saying that some personnel were directed to protect the billboards and posters from vandalism, especially at night.
“We were assigned alongside KASTLEA marshals to protect Tinubu’s billboards and posters from being vandalised before the campaign rally. Our duty is mostly at night because that is when the youths can carry out such acts,” the operative said.
The source said the deployment followed a directive to secure campaign materials along the route from the stadium area to Kawo.
Meanwhile, further reports said that police officers and plain-clothes operatives were sighted at major roads and roundabouts across the metropolis, monitoring motorists and other road users as preparations for the presidential visit intensified.
Police patrol vehicles have been stationed around the rally venue and along Ahmadu Bello Way, including the roundabout near the former NEPA office. Armed policemen were also sighted around the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital roundabout as security arrangements were stepped up.
President Tinubu is expected to attend the event alongside governors from the seven states in the North-West geopolitical zone. The rally is expected to attract party supporters and stakeholders from across the country.
The Kaduna Township Stadium, with capacity of about 8,000, has undergone renovation and decoration ahead of the rally. The facility has been repainted, while APC flags and campaign billboards featuring Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and Governor Uba Sani have been mounted around the venue and adjoining roads.
Checks at the stadium showed that conveniences, pavilion and other facilities have been prepared for guests. The premises have been restricted to the public ahead of the rally.
The stadium shares a boundary with the Kaduna State Police Command headquarters, with vehicles belonging to the police special response team sighted around the entrance.
A resident, Umar Abdullahi, said the venue has been transformed.
“They have decorated the place with APC flags and billboards of the president and other political aspirants. The whole stadium has a new look,” he said.
He added that security personnel, particularly policemen, had been deployed around the facility.
The deputy governor, who doubles as chairperson of the Local Organising Committee for the campaign flag-off, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, expressed satisfaction with preparations after inspecting the stadium with members of her team.
She said the holding area, conveniences and pavilions are ready, adding that only the markings for participating states remain.
Balarabe said the committee had held extensive consultations with security officials at state and federal levels to ensure adequate protection before, during and after the rally. According to her, attendees would undergo security screening before gaining access.
She expressed confidence that the event would attract a large number of APC members and supporters, describing the North-West as a strong base for the ruling party.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, also said mobilisation is ongoing, adding that hotels and service apartments across Kaduna metropolis had been fully booked.
He described the State’s hosting of the campaign flag-off as a privilege, noting that residents are looking forward to welcoming the President.