Tinubu flags off 2027 APC campaign in Kaduna, opens 81km highway stretch

President Bola Tinubu has formally opened the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the 2027 general elections, flagging off the push for a second term in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

Vice President Kashim Shettima stood with him as governors, ministers, lawmakers and party supporters from across the country filled the Ranchers Bees Stadium, according to reports of the event.

The choice of Kaduna puts the North at the centre of the coming contest. For ordinary Nigerians, the campaign will be judged on the issues that touch households daily: food prices, fuel, transport costs, jobs and security.

Highway inaugurated at the flag-off

During the campaign flag-off, the President also symbolically inaugurated the completed 81-kilometre section of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano dual carriageway.

The corridor is a major route linking Abuja with commercial and farming areas across the North. Farmers use it to move produce to market, manufacturers move raw materials and goods, and transport operators depend on it for their daily business.

Tinubu took office in May 2023 and removed petrol subsidies and changed the foreign exchange system, decisions his administration says were needed to steady the economy.

According to figures cited in the reports, the economy grew 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, up from 4.23 per cent a year earlier. The Federal Ministry of Finance reported headline inflation of 15.39 per cent in August 2026, and external reserves stood at about $54.7 billion in September.

The administration also points to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for tertiary education financing, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) for consumer credit, and the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to lower transport fuel costs.

Tinubu answers critics on hunger

The President used his speech to hit back at opponents who blame his government for the cost of living.

“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty,” Tinubu said. “Who created it? They did.”

He said his government was working to eradicate hunger and poverty, and urged supporters not to be swayed by past leaders now speaking about hardship.

“Fuel subsidy is in our past: no more corruption, no more lies, no more smuggling,” he said.

Shettima, in his own remarks, recalled Tinubu's past ties with northern leaders, naming former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. He also thanked Kaduna State for its support of the APC.