2027: APC Defends Tinubu’s Kaduna Rally Speech, Says Appearance Did the Job

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency have defended President Bola Tinubu’s appearance and speech at the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna, insisting the massive turnout and the message delivered achieved their purpose.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the rally shamed critics who claimed Tinubu would not be welcome in any part of northern Nigeria. In a post on X, Onanuga described the event as filled with “unforgettable moments” and accused opposition leaders, particularly from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), of spreading false narratives out of “bad belle.”

“The show of support bothers the ‘bad belle’ ADC opposition leaders, who spread the false idea that President Tinubu wouldn’t be welcome in any part of northern Nigeria. Kaduna put them to shame. Thanks, Governor Uba Sani, for the colorful show,” he wrote.

At the Saturday rally at Ranchers Bees Stadium (also referred to as Kaduna Township Stadium), Tinubu thanked residents for their support in the 2023 election and appealed for a renewed mandate in 2027.

He defended his administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, and blamed previous governments for the hunger and poverty facing Nigerians.“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did. They created the hunger. We are trying to eradicate it,” the President said.

He added that fuel subsidy was now in the past, along with associated corruption, invoice falsification, lies and smuggling.Tinubu promised prosperity, continuity, progress and development in a second term, while praising APC governors for development efforts in their states and noting regular payment of salaries.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani highlighted federal interventions in the state, including ongoing reconstruction of the long-abandoned Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road and improved security along the corridor. He said Tinubu had fulfilled key campaign promises made during a 2022 visit.

APC Presidential Campaign Council Director-General Abdulaziz Yari assured the President of strong northern support, declaring that “Northern Nigeria is 100 per cent” (or “101 per cent” in some accounts) behind him for the January 2027 election.

While the ruling party celebrated the large crowd and organic turnout with reports of supporters arriving as early as 4 a.m. opposition groups criticised the event as featuring rented crowds, empty seats in parts of the venue and recycled promises. Some online reactions also questioned elements of the crowd’s response during the President’s speech.

The APC maintains that the President’s physical presence, the scale of mobilisation and the clear message of continuity versus opposition alternatives successfully set the tone for the 2027 campaign.