Kaduna Gears Up for APC Campaign Amid Economic Woes

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares to launch its presidential campaign for the 2027 general election in Kaduna, campaign posters and banners are popping up everywhere. These posters feature President Bola Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani, and other party leaders. The campaign launch is set for Saturday, 24 October, and is expected to gather party leaders, governors, and supporters from all over Nigeria.

Many residents in Kaduna are worried about the economy, rising unemployment, and insecurity. They are urging the president to use the campaign to explain how he plans to tackle these issues.

Some people see the upcoming rally as just another political gathering that may not change their daily struggles. Others are calling for a peaceful event without any hitches.

PREMIUM TIMES found campaign posters all over the metropolis, especially along routes leading to the Kaduna Township Stadium, where the rally will take place. The posters feature Mr Tinubu, Mr Uba Sani, and other candidates from the ruling party.

Residents Want Economic Relief

Dan Kundi, a commercial bus driver, wants the president to focus on the economic hardships people are facing. He believes the government should create policies to ease the burden on families and improve lives in rural areas.

"What we want to hear is what the government intends to do, within the shortest possible time, to change the situation. It is not enough to organise rallies and make promises; people want to see improvements in their lives," Kundi said.

Another resident, Bello Ila, shared that the rising costs of transportation and food are making it hard for many families to meet their basic needs. "We want to know whether our situation will improve and when that improvement will come," Ila said.

Insecurity Is a Major Concern

Mukaila Sani, who lives in Malali, wants security to be a top issue during the campaign. He stressed that Nigerians need to feel safe in their homes and workplaces.

He urged Mr Tinubu to outline the steps his administration is taking to tackle insecurity, including attacks, kidnappings, and other violent crimes. "People want to go about their businesses without fear. They want to travel, open their shops, and return home safely at the end of the day," he said.

"We have heard many promises from politicians over the years. What people want now are practical solutions and visible results, especially in areas where insecurity has continued to disrupt people’s livelihoods," he added.

Young Nigerians Seek Jobs and Opportunities

Young Nigerians are also worried about unemployment and economic opportunities. They want the president to focus on creating jobs and developing skills.

One young resident, who preferred to stay anonymous, said many youths are not interested in political campaigns because they haven't seen any real improvements in their lives. "What we need are jobs and opportunities to become self-reliant. Young people want to work, establish businesses, and contribute to society, but many do not have the opportunities to do so," they said.

This resident doubts the campaign will address these issues, noting that past political events did not lead to better living conditions. "We have seen campaigns before, but people are still struggling. We hope the president will take our concerns seriously this time," the resident added.

Everyday Struggles Take Priority

Halima Abubakar, a schoolteacher, is more focused on her daily challenges than political events. She says many families are under pressure, making it hard for them to pay attention to campaigns.

"People have their problems to deal with. Parents are thinking about school fees, food, and transportation, while workers are trying to manage their salaries. These are the issues that matter to people," she said.

Mustapha Umar, a shop owner, noted that enthusiasm for the rally seems low, despite the many campaign materials. "As you can see, many people are going about their normal businesses. It is the politicians who are making the preparations and putting up posters and banners," he said.

Umar added that the campaign could be a chance for the president to reconnect with Nigerians if it focuses on their concerns.

Residents Expect Change

Other residents echoed similar sentiments, saying they would judge the administration by its ability to improve living conditions rather than just campaign promises. Ibrahim, a resident of Barnawa, said the government needs to help reduce the pressure on households and support small businesses.

"Many small businesses are struggling because operating costs have increased. People are spending more on transportation, goods, and other expenses, while their earnings have not increased at the same rate," he said.

Amina, another resident, hopes the campaign will be peaceful and not disrupt daily life. "People should be able to attend the rally if they want to, while others should be allowed to go about their normal businesses. We want a peaceful event without unnecessary tension or disruption," she said.

Another resident, who chose to remain anonymous, said he is indifferent to political activities and more concerned about economic issues. "Politicians will organise their programmes, and people will attend if they want to. I am more concerned about how to take care of my family and meet my daily expenses," he said.

APC Prepares for the Rally

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State chapter of the APC has said it is ready to host Mr Tinubu and other party leaders for the campaign kick-off. The party’s state publicity secretary, Muhammad Sani, mentioned that they are mobilising supporters across Kaduna State for a successful event.

He described the rally as a significant moment as the party begins its campaign activities for the 2027 general election. The APC has also set up a committee to coordinate preparations, including logistics and other arrangements.

Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, will chair this committee, which includes important politicians and government officials like Suleiman Hunkuyi, Shehu Sani, and Yusuf Hamisu. The committee is working to ensure everything is ready before the president arrives.

Kaduna being chosen as the venue for the campaign kick-off puts the state at the forefront of the APC’s early preparations for the upcoming presidential election.

Yari Updates Tinubu on Arrangements

In related news, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, confirmed the party’s readiness after meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja on Tuesday.

After the meeting, Yari told journalists that his team had visited the president to brief him on the plans for the Kaduna rally. "I briefed the president on our preparations for the Kaduna campaign kick-off. We are ready, and we want to make sure everything is in place for the event," Yari said.

He added that his team would travel to Kaduna to oversee the preparations and ensure a successful event. "We will all head to Kaduna from tomorrow to ensure that we have a full outing. We are prepared, and we intend to make it a big event," he said.