Politics | Nigeria | October 24, 2026

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over reports that security personnel were deployed to protect his campaign billboards and posters in Kaduna State ahead of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off.

Atiku argued that the reported deployment highlighted a troubling contrast between the protection afforded to the President’s campaign materials and the insecurity experienced by communities affected by banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes.

In a social media post on Friday, October 23, Atiku challenged Tinubu to prioritise the safety of Nigerians with the same urgency reportedly applied to protecting his political image.

What Atiku said

Atiku, who is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), questioned why campaign materials belonging to a president who claims to enjoy public support needed security guards while many Nigerians remained exposed to violent attacks.

He wrote:

“Your posters enjoy protection that millions of Nigerians can only dream of.”

He further urged Tinubu to protect citizens with the same urgency used to safeguard his image. These remarks were part of Atiku’s criticism of the administration’s security priorities, rather than an official assessment of the security deployment.

Why were Tinubu’s billboards guarded?

Reports indicated that security personnel, including operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA), were assigned to strategic locations to prevent vandalism of the President’s campaign materials ahead of his expected visit to Kaduna on October 24.

A security source cited by LEADERSHIP said the deployment was intended to protect the billboards, monitor potential threats and prevent incidents that could disrupt the President’s visit. The source also referred to intelligence about a possible protest.

The deployment was therefore presented by security sources as a preventive measure ahead of a major political event. Atiku, however, questioned the apparent contrast between the protection of campaign materials and the safety of ordinary citizens.

Nigeria’s wider security challenge

The exchange comes amid continuing concerns about banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and attacks on communities in parts of Nigeria.

In an August 2026 report, Reuters identified insecurity and economic hardship as major issues confronting Tinubu as he pursued re-election. The report also noted that the administration had defended its security operations, saying military action had helped curb attacks and improve safety in some areas.

The wider debate is therefore about more than campaign billboards. It concerns the government's responsibility to protect citizens, the effectiveness of security operations and whether public safety is improving in communities facing persistent threats.

What happens next?

Tinubu was expected in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24, for the APC presidential campaign flag-off. Security preparations also included restrictions on heavy-duty vehicles in parts of Kaduna metropolis and the deployment of tactical and crowd-control personnel, according to reporting by Vanguard.

As the 2027 election campaign gathers momentum, the dispute illustrates how opposition figures are using security concerns to challenge the administration's record. The Presidency's response to Atiku's specific criticism was not available in the reports reviewed.

Note:

The controversy highlights a central question facing Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections: how can the government demonstrate that protecting the lives and property of citizens remains its foremost security priority?

Protecting campaign materials against vandalism may be a legitimate preventive measure. However, citizens will continue to judge the administration by its ability to prevent attacks, rescue abducted people, secure communities and bring perpetrators to justice.

Atiku's criticism has brought that debate back into focus, while the government’s broader security record remains a matter for assessment against independently verified results.

Source : LEADERSHIP — You’re Protecting Billboards, But Can’t Protect Citizens – Atiku Tells Tinubu