President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially launched his 2027 re-election campaign at the Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna State, declaring that his administration is actively working to eliminate poverty and hunger inherited from previous political opponents. Addressing the gathering of supporters, the president pledged to deliver prosperity, continuity, growth, recovery, and opportunity if granted a second term.

Key Highlights from the President's Address

• Attribution of Economic Challenges: President Tinubu argued that political opponents were responsible for creating the nation's economic hardships, maintaining that his administration is focused on systematic eradication of these issues.

• Governance Achievements: He pointed to regular salary disbursements, active state governance, and the elimination of fuel subsidies, corruption, invoice falsification, and smuggling as major administration successes.

• Call to Action: Urging citizens to safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), he encouraged voters to cast their ballots for all candidates representing the ruling party.

Endorsements from Leadership

• Vice President Kashim Shettima: Highlighted the president's historical backing of northern political figures, citing past instances where Tinubu provided political support and platforms for Atiku Abubakar in 2007, Nuhu Ribadu in 2011, and Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019. He credited the administration with preserving national unity and delivering key developmental projects.

• Governor Uba Sani: Challenged opposition figures presenting themselves as northern candidates to produce verifiable records. He praised Tinubu for fulfilling key campaign promises in Kaduna State, specifically noting the ongoing reconstruction of the 123-kilometer Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road abandoned for over four decades following the release of 117 billion naira for the project.

• APC Campaign Leadership: Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, stated that the campaign will center on verifiable records in the economy, infrastructure, health, education, and cash transfer programs, while warning supporters to watch out for the opposition's use of artificial intelligence. APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda added that the president has earned public confidence through courageous leadership and dedication to national development.

Opposition and Criticisms

The campaign launch drew swift and sharp pushback from opposition figures and political organizations:

• Atiku Abubakar and the ADC: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, speaking through the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign communications team, dismissed the president's remarks as a refusal to take accountability for the economic misery inflicted on citizens. The opposition argued that the administration cannot implement policies that worsen living conditions and subsequently blame others for the consequences, further criticizing the symbolic commissioning of unfinished infrastructure from inside a stadium.

• ADC Campaign Council: The ADC Presidential Campaign Council characterized the Kaduna rally as a disappointment, alleging that sparse attendance and unenthusiastic crowd reactions exposed declining public support despite heavy mobilization efforts. The party accused the ruling party of recycling empty promises from past election cycles.

• Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation: The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation labeled the event political theater, challenging the administration to account for worsening security, economic decline, and political marginalization in the North. The group alleged that millions have been displaced or killed by insecurity since 2007 and claimed the region has been treated primarily as an electoral resource rather than an integrated partner.