Saturday, October 24, 2026, marked the official commencement of political rallies ahead of the January 16, 2027, presidential election, as 18 presidential candidates prepare to slug it out for Nigeria’s highest political office.
While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC kicked off his re-election campaign in Kaduna, supporters of Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), staged a march in Abuja.
Reports of a heavy security presence in Nigeria’s capital ahead of the Obi-Kwankwaso supporters’ march sparked concerns, with some supporters describing the deployment as an attempt at suppression. However, presidential spokesperson Dada Olusegun dismissed the insinuations, explaining that the security presence was part of the usual protocols whenever the President travelled.
In Kaduna, Tinubu took aim at his political opponents, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), blaming them for hunger and poverty in Nigeria. He also promised prosperity for Nigerians if re-elected in 2027.
Tinubu’s remarks triggered a swift reaction from Atiku, who fired back at the incumbent President. Although Atiku had yet to officially kick off his presidential campaign, his media team, led by Phrank Shaibu, issued a statement in which the former Vice President described Tinubu as delusional for blaming the economic hardship facing Nigerians on the opposition.
Meanwhile, Nigerians continued to debate Tinubu’s Kaduna campaign rally, with reactions spanning both positive and negative assessments of the event.
One of the major talking points was a moment involving First Lady Remi Tinubu, who was captured on camera appearing to pass an unidentified substance to her husband during the rally. The footage sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians on social media, with discussions centring on what was seen in the clip.
Nigerian Newssphere reports that Saturday’s events generated several talking points as the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 presidential election gathered momentum. The campaign season is expected to bring further exchanges among candidates, heightened political activity and intense public scrutiny of the leading contenders.
