Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the deployment of security personnel to protect President Bola Tinubu’s campaign billboards in Kaduna State, questioning why such protection would be necessary for a president whose party claims he enjoys widespread public support.
The criticism follows reports on Friday, October 23, 2026, that security operatives had been stationed at strategic locations across Kaduna metropolis to protect campaign posters and billboards ahead of Tinubu’s scheduled visit on Saturday, October 24, for the launch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign.
Atiku questioned the political implications of the deployment, suggesting that the need to guard campaign materials raised concerns about the ruling party’s claims of the President’s popularity.
According to reports by Daily Trust, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA) were among those assigned to protect campaign materials along major roads leading to the Kaduna Township Stadium.
A security operative involved in the assignment reportedly explained that personnel had been directed to prevent the vandalism of posters and billboards, particularly during nighttime hours.
The operative said the deployment followed instructions issued through the relevant security unit, with personnel assigned to locations between the stadium area and Kawo.
The development comes as the APC prepares to formally begin Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Kaduna, with party leaders, governors and supporters expected to attend the event.
Security arrangements have also been strengthened around the campaign venue, including the deployment of police personnel and other security agencies to manage the gathering and protect participants.
Atiku’s criticism places renewed attention on the distinction between security arrangements for a major political event and the specific deployment of personnel to protect campaign advertisements.
While the protection of public gatherings and prevention of vandalism fall within the responsibilities of security agencies, questions remain about the authorisation and funding of security arrangements dedicated to political campaign materials.
The Kaduna State Government had not publicly provided a detailed explanation of the cost or funding arrangements for guarding the billboards in the reports reviewed.
The APC has maintained that Tinubu enjoys substantial political support across the country, with its Presidential Campaign Council expressing confidence in the party’s preparations for the 2027 election.
However, the presence of security personnel around campaign materials does not, by itself, establish the level of public support for the President or prove that the materials face widespread hostility.
The disagreement comes amid intensifying political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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