2027 Elections: Shettima, Yari Lead APC Campaign Rally in Kaduna as Obasanjo’s Son Backs Tinubu

The race for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election has gathered momentum following the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Kaduna, where Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senator Abdulaziz Yari and other party leaders called on Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.

The rally, held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, marked the official flag-off of the APC’s presidential campaign ahead of the January 16, 2027 election. It brought together party officials, governors, political stakeholders and supporters as the ruling party began its nationwide mobilisation.

The campaign event also coincided with renewed political discussions following the decision of Olujonwo Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to join the Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation, popularly known as the Tinubu Must Stay Movement.

The two developments have drawn attention to the alliances, endorsements and competing political interests shaping the road to the 2027 elections.

Shettima Urges Kaduna Voters to Support Tinubu

Speaking at the Kaduna rally, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged residents and voters in the North-West to renew the APC’s mandate, arguing that the administration deserved another term based on its policies and projects.

Shettima highlighted the federal government’s interventions in education and infrastructure, particularly projects and programmes that he said were intended to strengthen Kaduna State’s position as a major centre of learning and economic activity.

He referenced the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, as well as vocational training initiatives and education funding programmes, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

The vice president also pointed to major infrastructure projects, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, railway development and road construction, as part of the administration’s record.

According to Shettima, the APC intends to campaign on the basis of its achievements and its commitment to continuing policies already introduced.

His appeal formed part of the party’s broader strategy to consolidate support in northern Nigeria, where the outcome of the 2023 presidential election demonstrated the importance of regional alliances and voter mobilisation.

Yari Promises Northern Support for Tinubu

Senator Abdulaziz Yari, director-general of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, also used the rally to express confidence in Tinubu’s chances in the forthcoming election.

Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, emphasised the importance of building a broad electoral coalition across northern and southern Nigeria.

He claimed that millions of farmers were prepared to support the president’s re-election and argued that the administration’s policies on agriculture, education, healthcare and economic management would feature prominently in the campaign.

The campaign director-general maintained that the APC would present its record in government to voters rather than rely exclusively on electoral promises.

The Kaduna rally represents an important opening for the party as it seeks to strengthen its political base and persuade voters to support a continuation of Tinubu’s administration.

Kaduna Emerges as a Strategic Political Battleground

The decision to begin the APC’s presidential campaign in Kaduna carries considerable political significance.

In the 2023 presidential election, the state voted for Atiku Abubakar, then the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, rather than Tinubu. Kaduna therefore remains an important battleground as the ruling party seeks to expand its support in the North-West.

The opposition is also positioning itself for the contest, with prominent figures seeking to build alliances and challenge the APC’s influence.

The 2027 election is expected to be shaped by public assessments of economic reforms, inflation, the cost of living, employment opportunities and security.

While the Tinubu administration has defended its economic policies as necessary reforms, many Nigerians continue to face financial pressure and concerns about insecurity. These issues are likely to influence the campaign debate and voters’ decisions.

The APC’s message of policy continuity will therefore face scrutiny from voters who want to see tangible improvements in their living conditions.

Olujonwo Obasanjo Joins Tinubu Must Stay Movement

Adding another development to the unfolding political realignments, Olujonwo Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has joined the Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation, popularly known as the Tinubu Must Stay Movement.

Olujonwo announced his decision at a press conference in Abuja, where leaders of the organisation welcomed him into the political advocacy platform.

The movement promotes policy continuity, sustainable governance and public understanding of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Olujonwo said his decision was influenced by his political experience and his belief in the importance of sustaining government policies across successive administrations.

He also argued that government reforms needed to be communicated more effectively to Nigerians so that citizens could better understand their objectives and implications.

Olujonwo stated that he had been a member of the APC since its formation in 2014. His political background includes involvement with the Buhari Youth Organisation and Project One Nigeria, as well as service as a senior special assistant to the Ogun State governor on housing.

His entry into the Tinubu Must Stay Movement adds another voice to the growing network of political figures and advocacy groups supporting the president’s re-election bid.

Father and Son on Different Political Paths

Olujonwo’s decision has attracted attention partly because of his relationship with his father, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose political views and public interventions remain influential in Nigeria.

Reports surrounding the development have highlighted the difference between the younger Obasanjo’s support for Tinubu and his father’s reported political alignment with opposition figure Peter Obi.

The development illustrates how political preferences can differ within the same family, particularly in a competitive election cycle involving established political figures and emerging alliances.

However, Olujonwo’s decision to join the movement should be understood as his own political position rather than evidence of a change in his father’s views.

His supporters within the organisation have presented his entry as an opportunity to strengthen advocacy for policy continuity and engage more Nigerians in discussions about the administration’s programmes.

Traditional Rulers and Political Reactions

The campaign has also unfolded against a wider backdrop of political debate involving traditional institutions, party leaders and regional interests.

Previous remarks attributed to traditional rulers in Katsina have contributed to discussions about political support and the expectations of leaders in northern communities. Such reactions reflect the importance political parties place on influential local institutions and community networks during election campaigns.

Traditional rulers do not determine election outcomes, but their public statements can attract attention because of their roles in community leadership and their influence on political conversations.

As the campaign progresses, the APC and opposition parties are likely to intensify their engagement with traditional institutions, community organisations, youth groups and other stakeholders.

The extent to which these engagements translate into electoral support will depend on several factors, including candidates’ credibility, campaign promises and voters’ experiences under the current administration.

What the Developments Mean for 2027

The Kaduna rally and Olujonwo Obasanjo’s entry into the Tinubu Must Stay Movement highlight two important aspects of Nigeria’s emerging 2027 political contest: party mobilisation and the formation of wider advocacy networks.

For the APC, the immediate challenge is to convert its organisational strength and campaign activities into sustained public support across the country.

For the opposition, the challenge will be to develop a compelling alternative and build alliances capable of competing with the ruling party’s political structure.

Ultimately, the election will be determined by voters through the ballot box. Public opinion on the economy, security, governance and the performance of political leaders will remain central to the contest.

As campaigns gather pace, further endorsements, defections and political realignments are expected to shape the race for the presidency.

The Kaduna rally has formally opened a new phase of the APC’s campaign, while Olujonwo Obasanjo’s decision to support the Tinubu Must Stay Movement underscores the continuing debate over policy continuity and Nigeria’s political direction beyond 2027.