Protect Nigerians, not billboards, Atiku tells Tinubu ahead of Kaduna visit

The Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the alleged deployment of security operatives to guard campaign posters and billboards in Kaduna State.

The security presence comes ahead of the President’s planned visit to the state on Saturday for the official launch of his presidential campaign. Security personnel were reportedly stationed at strategic locations across the Kaduna metropolis to prevent the possible vandalism of the campaign materials.

Reacting to the development, the former Vice President accused President Tinubu of prioritising his political image over the safety of citizens. Atiku questioned the reason behind shielding billboards while several communities across the country continue to face attacks by armed bandits.

In an address to the President, Atiku condemned the security arrangement as a misplacement of national priorities.

“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. Your posters enjoy protection that millions of Nigerians can only dream of. What a tragic statement of your government’s priorities”, Atiku.

He further urged the President to channel the same energy toward safeguarding the lives of citizens.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has dismissed the reports, clarifying that the security presence is not to shield campaign materials but to maintain law and order ahead of the President’s arrival. He added that the heavy security presence is a routine measure for visiting dignitaries.

The Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Kaduna State Governor, Abdullah Yunus Abdullah, stated that stationing officers at major intersections is a standard operational protocol.

“It’s worth noting that whenever a high-profile person is visiting town, security operatives are always deployed to flashpoint areas like markets, roundabouts, flyovers, places of worship, and other strategic locations. It’s a standard practice that happens everywhere,” Abdullah noted.

He described the claims by the ADC as baseless, adding that the state government is simply sustaining the joint operations and security traditions inherited from the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.