By: Odeh Favour
Ahead of the planned flag-off of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign in Kaduna, security personnel have been deployed across the metropolis to guard campaign posters and billboards to prevent potential vandalism.
Security personnel, including operatives of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), police officers, and plain-clothes operatives, were stationed along major roads, roundabouts, and key routes leading to the Kaduna Township Stadium.
The deployment follows a circular issued directing personnel to protect political materials from the stadium area up to Kawo.
Speaking on the deployment, a security operative disclosed that their duties are primarily focused 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,” he said.
In addition to safeguarding billboards, armed police officers and patrol vehicles were stationed at strategic locations, including Ahmadu Bello Way, the roundabout near the former NEPA office, and the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital roundabout, while special response teams monitored the stadium entrance.
Meanwhile, the venue of the rally, the 8,000-capacity Kaduna Township Stadium, has been given a complete facelift, adorned with All Progressives Congress (APC) flags, green lawns, and billboards featuring President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. Access to the public has since been restricted ahead of the event.
Reacting to the venue’s transformation, a Kaduna resident, Umar Abdullahi, remarked on the new appearance of the facilities.
“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.
Inspecting the site alongside her team, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation.
“I’m comfortable with what has been done so far; we have the holding area, the conveniences are ready, the pavilions are ready.
What remains is the markings for the different states,” she stated.
Dr. Balarabe assured attendees of their safety, confirming that extensive discussions had been held with security professionals at both state and federal levels, adding that attendees would undergo thorough screening before entering the stadium. She also expressed confidence in a massive turnout, noting that the North-West remains an APC stronghold.
Corroborating the readiness of the state, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, revealed that mobilization efforts were fully active and hotels and service apartments across the Kaduna metropolis had already been completely booked.
Maiyaki added that the state felt privileged and honored to host the presidential campaign flag-off, asserting that residents were eager to welcome President Tinubu and visiting governors from across the North-West region.
