By Emma Peter, Kaduna
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has identified its presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna as a major test of its mobilisation strength, expressing confidence that the event will attract a massive crowd and set the tone for its nationwide campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Senator Osita Izunaso, who disclosed this while speaking with journalists ahead of Saturday’s campaign launch, said the party had put comprehensive arrangements in place to ensure a successful outing, particularly in managing the large number of supporters expected at the venue.
Izunaso said the ruling party was determined to make the Kaduna event a significant political statement, demonstrating its organisational capacity and readiness to mobilise supporters across the country in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He explained that the anticipated turnout had made crowd management a major priority for the organisers, adding that the party was preparing for attendance beyond its initial projections.
According to the senator, the campaign launch would provide an opportunity for the APC to demonstrate its commitment to good governance while bringing together party leaders, elected officials, stakeholders and supporters from across Nigeria.
“As for the approval, this venue tomorrow will rekindle the hope of good governance. You will see the gallery of men and women that will be here tomorrow. The crowd control is even what we are working on, because we know that more than the expected crowd will be here tomorrow. This is our flag-off, and we are going to make it big,” he said.
The senator described Kaduna as a strategic starting point for the party’s campaign activities, noting that the experience would help determine how effectively its mobilisation structures could manage subsequent rallies in other parts of the federation.
He said the party intended to use lessons from the event to strengthen coordination and improve preparations for future campaign engagements as the 2027 elections approach.
Izunaso disclosed that the APC’s next major campaign engagement was scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on November 7, stressing that the Kaduna rally would provide an important benchmark for the activities ahead.
“By the time we move from Kaduna, we are moving to Port Harcourt on the 7th of November. So Kaduna will be a test case,” he stated.
Beyond the presidential campaign launch, the senator outlined plans to involve governors and other political leaders in driving the party’s mobilisation efforts at the state and grassroots levels.
He revealed that the seven governors from the North-West geopolitical zone would receive campaign flags alongside President Tinubu during the Kaduna event.
The governors are expected to take the flags to their respective states and coordinate activities aimed at strengthening the APC’s campaign structures and expanding its reach among voters.
The arrangement is designed to reinforce the connection between the national campaign leadership and state-level party organisations, ensuring that campaign messages and activities are coordinated across the region.
The North-West is considered a crucial battleground in Nigeria’s presidential elections because of its substantial voting population. The APC’s mobilisation strategy in the zone is therefore expected to feature prominently in its efforts to secure another term for Tinubu.
Izunaso also disclosed that the party had drawn up a campaign plan covering all 36 states, with the President expected to visit at least 12 states during the campaign period.
Under the proposed arrangement, Vice President Kashim Shettima would lead campaign activities in states that Tinubu would not personally visit.
The senator said the approach would enable the APC to maintain a nationwide presence while distributing campaign responsibilities among its principal leaders.
The strategy is also expected to give the party greater flexibility in coordinating rallies and political engagements across different geopolitical zones, while allowing state chapters to work closely with the national campaign leadership.
With the President and Vice President sharing campaign responsibilities, the party hopes to sustain political engagement across the federation and mobilise support for its 2027 presidential ambition.
Izunaso expressed confidence in the party’s level of preparation, maintaining that its organisational structures were sufficiently positioned to deliver a coordinated campaign.
He said the APC was optimistic about its relationship with Nigerians and would seek to strengthen public confidence through its campaign activities and commitment to good governance.
“So we have organised ourselves very well, and it is going to be seamless. Nigerians are happy with us. They love our party, and we want to make them happier by doing the right thing all the time,” he said.
His remarks highlight the APC’s intention to combine large political rallies with a coordinated nationwide outreach programme as it seeks to consolidate its political position ahead of the next general elections.
However, the party’s ability to translate the expected turnout at campaign events into electoral support will depend on several factors, including voters’ assessment of government performance, economic conditions, security and the effectiveness of its policies.
While the Kaduna rally is expected to showcase the APC’s mobilisation capacity, subsequent engagements across the country will provide further opportunities for the party to communicate its agenda and assess the strength of its grassroots networks.
The planned November 7 campaign activity in Port Harcourt will mark another phase of the party’s efforts to extend its mobilisation drive beyond the North-West.
For the APC, the immediate task is to ensure that the Kaduna flag-off is successfully organised, manages the anticipated crowd and establishes a strong foundation for its nationwide campaign.
Ultimately, the party’s projected turnout and extensive campaign arrangements will face their most important test at the ballot box in 2027, when voters will decide whether to renew Tinubu’s mandate.
