Tinubu Arrives Kaduna for APC 2027 Campaign Flag-Off Amid ‘BAMAYI’ Chants

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Kaduna State for the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The President was received at the airport by top government officials, security chiefs and chieftains of the ruling party, as preparations intensified for the campaign rally.

Among those who received him were the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign, Abdulaziz Yari, and the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.

Tinubu’s arrival marks a significant step in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the ruling party expected to use the Kaduna rally to mobilise supporters and showcase its political strength ahead of the nationwide campaign.

However, a video circulating from the rally venue showed a crowd chanting “BAMAYI!”, a Hausa expression meaning “we won’t support you,” as a convoy arrived at the location.

The chants introduced an unexpected element into the campaign event, raising questions about the mood of sections of the crowd and the political reception awaiting the President in the state.

It was not immediately clear from the available information who the crowd was addressing or whether the chants were directed specifically at Tinubu or members of the arriving convoy. The video alone does not establish the identity or political affiliation of those chanting.

Kaduna remains an important political battleground because of its strategic position in Northern Nigeria and its influence on the wider electoral calculations of political parties seeking national office.

The APC’s decision to commence its presidential campaign activities in the state underscores the importance the party attaches to consolidating support in the North as it seeks a second term for Tinubu.

The President is also expected to commission projects and hold meetings with stakeholders during his visit to Kaduna.

The engagements are expected to provide an opportunity for the administration to highlight its achievements, interact with political leaders and reinforce its appeal to voters ahead of the 2027 elections.

For the APC, the campaign flag-off represents an opportunity to communicate its policies and priorities to Nigerians, particularly in areas such as security, economic recovery, infrastructure and employment.

The reported chants, meanwhile, offer a reminder that political rallies can present competing expressions of public opinion, even when organised by a major political party.

As the campaign season gathers momentum, the reactions of voters in Kaduna and other parts of the country will be closely watched for indications of public sentiment ahead of the general elections.

The coming months are expected to test the ability of political parties to convince Nigerians through their records, policy proposals and engagement with citizens.

Tinubu’s campaign will therefore face the task of not only mobilising the APC’s established support base but also addressing the concerns of voters whose economic circumstances, security worries and expectations of government may influence their choices at the ballot box.