Former Vice President and [ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atiku_Abubakar) condemned the recent deployment of security personnel to guard President [Bola Ahmed Tinubu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Ahmed_Tinubu)’s campaign posters and billboards in Kaduna, saying the move highlights a misplaced priority as bandit attacks continue to threaten communities across Nigeria.
**Key facts**
- The security deployment was reported ahead of Tinubu’s scheduled visit to Kaduna on Saturday.
- Atiku shared a graphic from Daily Trust and issued a statement accusing Tinubu of favouring his image over citizens’ safety.
- The Kaduna State Government, through Senior Special Assistant on New Media Abdullah Yunus Abdullah, denied the claim, describing the deployment as a routine security measure for high‑profile visits.
- Atiku’s statement included the remark: “Bola, you claim Nigerians love you, yet your billboards in Kaduna require security guards.”
- The criticism came as the official launch of Tinubu’s presidential campaign in the state was set to begin.
What did Atiku say?
Atiku posted the Daily Trust report on his social media, asserting that while bandits raid villages and terrorists terrorise communities, Tinubu’s campaign billboards enjoy a level of protection that ordinary Nigerians can only dream of. He added, “Bola, please protect Nigerians with the same urgency you protect your image!”
How did Kaduna authorities respond?
Abdullah Yunus Abdullah, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, responded on Facebook, stating that security operatives are always deployed to flash‑point areas such as markets, roundabouts, flyovers and places of worship whenever a high‑profile individual visits. He noted that similar deployments occurred during the previous administration of President Buhari and called the ADC’s claim “completely baseless.”
Background on the practice
Deploying police and other security agencies to strategic locations during political rallies or visits by senior officials is a standard protocol in Nigeria. The practice aims to prevent vandalism, crowd disturbances, and potential attacks on both people and property. Critics, however, argue that the visible presence of armed personnel around campaign material can create a perception that political branding is being given priority over broader public safety concerns.
Implications for the campaign
The dispute underscores the heightened tension between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties as the 2023 presidential race intensifies. While the Tinubu campaign seeks to showcase a strong security presence ahead of its state‑wide launch, the ADC’s rebuttal seeks to frame the incumbent’s approach as neglectful of the everyday security challenges faced by Nigerians.
**Conclusion**
The episode reflects the broader contest over narrative and priorities in Nigeria’s election season, with opposition figures leveraging security issues to question the incumbent’s commitment to citizen safety, while state officials maintain that such deployments are routine and necessary for orderly public events.