You’re Protecting Billboards, But Can’t Protect Citizens – Atiku Tells Tinubu

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has mocked President Bola Tinubu’s deployment of security operatives to protect his campaign billboards and posters in Kaduna ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign flag-off.

Atiku criticised the arrangement, questioning why campaign materials belonging to a president who claims to enjoy widespread public support require security protection while millions of Nigerians continue to face insecurity.

In a post on Facebook yesterday, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate accused the Tinubu administration of misplaced priorities, contrasting the protection given to the president’s campaign materials with the plight of communities affected by banditry, terrorism and other violent attacks.

“Bola, you claim Nigerians love you, yet your billboards in Kaduna require security guards. Bandits raid villages, terrorists attack communities, and families live in fear,” Atiku wrote.

He added that the protection given to the billboards was beyond what many Nigerians could expect for their own safety.

“Your posters enjoy protection that millions of Nigerians can only dream of. What a tragic statement of your government’s priorities. Bola, please protect Nigerians with the same urgency you protect your image!” he said.

Security personnel, including operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA), were reportedly deployed to protect Tinubu’s campaign materials in northern part of Kaduna ahead of the planned campaign flag-off today, October 24.

Security agencies stepped up surveillance around strategic locations in Kaduna State, including areas where billboards promoting Tinubu’s re-election campaign have been mounted, ahead of his visit to the state on Saturday.

A credible but unofficial security source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the measures aimed to prevent the destruction of campaign billboards, monitor potential threats, and ensure a peaceful visit by the resident.

The source said intelligence reports had indicated possible attempts by hoodlums and political actors to vandalise the billboards, particularly those mounted around roundabouts, major access roads and other busy locations where they would attract public attention.

According to the source, security personnel are being deployed to strategic locations to monitor activities, gather intelligence, and prevent any incident that could undermine the visit.

The source also disclosed that security agencies had received intelligence about a planned protest, allegedly scheduled to take place ahead of the President’s arrival.

The development comes amid concerns over insecurity in Kaduna, particularly in Millennium City, which is within a relatively short distance of the state capital and has witnessed security challenges.

The source acknowledged public concerns about the security situation, stressing that the President’s status as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces made adequate security arrangements necessary during the visit.

The source hunted that the deployment was intended to ensure that the President’s visit and the campaign flag-off proceeded peacefully, without incidents that could create tension or send negative signals about the state’s security situation.

“It will not be fair for the number one citizen coming, and now hoodlums and maybe political entrepreneurs come and start destroying the billboards of the President.

“It sends the wrong signals to the world. So our operatives would monitor strategic locations for intelligence gathering and to mitigate identified threats.

“We also have intelligence reports that some people want to run a protest today against tomorrow.

“As we speak, we and sister agencies have put adequate security arrangements in place amid concerns over insecurity in Millennium City, which is about 10 to 15 kilometres from Kaduna town,” the source said.

President Tinubu is expected in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24, 2026, for the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign.