2027: Posters, banners flood Kaduna as residents lament economic hardship, voice expectations

Barely three days before the All Progressives Congress (APC) kicks off its presidential campaign for the 2027 general election in Kaduna, campaign posters and banners bearing photographs of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and other party leaders are appearing on major roads and public spaces in the state capital.

The APC presidential campaign campaign launch, scheduled for Saturday, 24 October, is expected to bring together party leaders, governors, political stakeholders and supporters from across Nigeria.

This is as some residents of Kaduna metropolis have expressed concerns about the country’s economic situation, insecurity and rising unemployment, urging the president to use the campaign to explain how he intends to address their challenges.

Others described the rally as another political gathering unlikely to make an immediate difference in their daily lives, while some called on the organisers to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free event.

PREMIUM TIMES visited parts of the metropolis, including routes leading to the Kaduna Township Stadium, the venue of the rally, and observed campaign posters and banners mounted along major roads, including Independence Way.

The materials feature photographs of Mr Tinubu, Mr Uba Sani and other candidates of the ruling party in the state.

Residents demand relief from economic hardship

Dan Kundi, a commercial bus driver in Kaduna, said the president should use the rally to address the economic difficulties, particularly the rising cost of living.

He said the government should prioritise policies that would ease the burden on households and improve the livelihoods of people in rural communities.

“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.”

Similarly, Bello Ila, another resident, said the increasing cost of transportation and food had left many households with little money to meet other basic needs.

“We want to know whether our situation will improve and when that improvement will come,” Mr Ila said.

Insecurity, another major concern

Mukaila Sani, a resident of Malali, said the president should make security a central issue during the campaign, stressing that Nigerians needed to feel safe in their homes and workplaces.

He urged Mr Tinubu to explain the steps his administration was taking to address insecurity, particularly attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes affecting communities across the country.

“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, opportunities

Some young Nigerians who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES described unemployment and lack of economic opportunities as the nation’s major challenges, urging the president to prioritise job creation and skills development.

One of them, who requested anonymity, said many young people are uninterested in political campaigns because they had yet to experience meaningful improvements in their circumstances.

“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,” the resident said.

The resident expressed doubt that the campaign would address these concerns, saying previous political gatherings had not necessarily translated into better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.

“We have seen campaigns before, but people are still struggling. We hope the president will take our concerns seriously this time,” the resident added.

Another young resident said the administration needs to demonstrate how its economic policies would translate into employment opportunities and improved living standards.

“The campaign should be more than asking people to vote. It should also explain what the government intends to do for young Nigerians and how it will measure its progress.”

‘People are not smiling’

Halima Abubakar, a schoolteacher in Kaduna, said she was more concerned about her daily struggles than political activities.

She said the economic situation had left many households under pressure, making it difficult for them to pay attention to campaign activities.

“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.”

Mustapha Umar, a shop owner in Unguwan Dosa, also said enthusiasm among residents appeared limited, despite the growing visibility of 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.

“People are not particularly happy with the government because of the difficulties they face. When someone is struggling to feed their family or keep a business running, they may not have much interest in political rallies.”

Mr Umar, however, said the campaign could provide an opportunity for the president to reconnect with Nigerians if it focused on addressing their concerns.

Mixed expectations ahead of the rally

Other residents expressed similar concerns, with some saying they would judge the administration by its ability to improve living conditions rather than the promises made during the campaign.

A resident of Barnawa, who identified himself as Ibrahim, said the government should prioritise reducing the pressure on households and supporting 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.

He urged the government to explain how its policies would support traders and other small-scale business owners.

Another resident, Amina, said she hoped the campaign would remain peaceful and would not disrupt residents’ daily activities.

“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 declined to be named, said he was indifferent to political activities, explaining that his immediate concerns were economic.

“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 says it is ready to host Tinubu

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State chapter of the APC 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, said the APC was mobilising supporters across Kaduna State to ensure a successful outing.

He described the event as a significant moment for the party as it begins its campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general election.

The party has also inaugurated a committee to coordinate preparations for the event, including logistics and other organisational arrangements.

Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, is to chair the committee, which includes prominent politicians and government officials, among them Suleiman Hunkuyi, Shehu Sani and Yusuf Hamisu.

The committee is coordinating activities to ensure that the arrangements are completed ahead of the president’s arrival.

Kaduna’s selection as the venue for the campaign kick-off places the state at the centre of the APC’s early preparations for the 2027 presidential election.

Yari briefs Tinubu on preparations

Meanwhile the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, affirmed the party’s preparations after meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mr Yari said the delegation had visited the president to brief him on arrangements for the Kaduna rally.

He said his team members would travel to Kaduna to oversee preparations and ensure a successful event.

“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,” Mr Yari said.

“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 added.