A lot of drama, conflicting narratives and political posts have been flying around following the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The event, which formally launched the APC’s 2027 presidential campaign, attracted thousands of party supporters, political leaders and government officials from across the country. The rally was held at the Kaduna Township Stadium, also referred to in some reports as Ranchers Bees Stadium, with supporters arriving hours before the President’s arrival. Some even reportedly spent the night around the venue in an attempt to secure places inside the stadium.
However, alongside the images and videos portraying a massive APC mobilisation, another debate has emerged online — particularly over the authenticity of photographs and videos being circulated from the event.
AI Images, Real Videos and the Politics of Perception
To those sharing AI-generated pictures supposedly showing the APC presidential campaign rally in Kaduna, perhaps it is time to take a moment and watch the actual video of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address at the rally.
The warning is important because artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of political communication, and even APC officials themselves raised concerns about AI-generated campaign content.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani reportedly urged APC supporters to remain vigilant, alleging that opposition actors had moved beyond conventional social-media campaigning to the use of artificial intelligence.
That means political arguments should increasingly be based on verifiable photographs, videos, official statements and credible reports rather than images whose origins cannot be established.
What Did Tinubu Actually Say?
Many Nigerians expected the President to use the Kaduna campaign launch to extensively present the achievements of his administration over the last three and a half years.
Instead, one of the most widely reported moments from his speech was his response to criticism over hunger and poverty.
Tinubu told supporters that his opponents were responsible for the hunger and poverty they were accusing his government of failing to address. He also appealed for a second-term mandate, promising prosperity to Nigerians if re-elected.
The President also defended his economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, insisting that the policy would not be reversed.
This is where the political argument becomes particularly important.
Critics argue that after almost four years in office, the administration should be judged primarily by what Nigerians can see and feel today — employment opportunities, purchasing power, food prices, security, electricity, infrastructure and the general cost of living — rather than promises about what may happen in the future.
Supporters of the administration, however, point to reforms that they say were necessary to stabilise government finances and attract investment. Reuters reported that the subsidy removal, naira devaluation and other reforms have improved public finances, foreign reserves and investor confidence, while simultaneously contributing to severe cost-of-living pressures.
So, the argument cannot honestly be reduced to propaganda from either side.
‘Ba Ma Yi’: The Moment That Triggered Debate
Another major controversy from the Kaduna rally concerns a section of the crowd reportedly shouting “Ba ma yi” during Tinubu’s appearance.
The Hausa expression is commonly understood as meaning “we don't agree” or “we are not doing it,” depending on context. Daily Trust and other reports said a section of the crowd reacted with the phrase when Tinubu addressed the audience.
Whether that reaction represents the mood of Kaduna as a whole is another matter.
The rally also had significant visible support, with thousands of APC supporters reportedly filling the stadium and surrounding areas. Supporters arrived in party colours, carrying flags, posters and images of Tinubu and Kaduna Governor Uba Sani.
Therefore, neither a few seconds of crowd reaction nor carefully selected photographs should automatically be presented as the complete picture of Kaduna.
The Question of Crowd Size
Another issue generating controversy is the capacity of the venue.
Reports from Voice of Nigeria put the stadium’s reported capacity at more than 5,000, while other reports described thousands of supporters gathering inside and outside the venue.
At the same time, APC had publicly mobilised supporters from across the North-West and beyond. One report said supporters travelled from Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Kaduna for the flag-off.
Therefore, claims that “95 percent” of those present were not from Kaduna should be treated as a political assertion unless supported by reliable attendance data.
Likewise, claims that people were paid to attend the rally have been made by opposition figures, but such allegations should not automatically be treated as established fact without independent evidence.
Why Kaduna Matters
The Kaduna rally was not simply another political gathering.
It marked the beginning of the APC’s nationwide campaign for the 2027 presidential election. The party has proposed a campaign schedule covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with Tinubu expected to personally lead rallies in 12 strategically selected states.
The proposed states include Kaduna, Rivers, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.
Kaduna is particularly significant because of its political importance in the North-West and its large voting population. Analysts have described Tinubu’s planned appearances in several of these states as an attempt to consolidate support, reclaim lost ground and strengthen the APC ahead of 2027.
But Where Are the Achievements?
This is perhaps the most important question critics are asking.
After nearly four years in office, Nigerians are entitled to ask the President: What has your administration achieved, and how has it changed the lives of ordinary citizens?
It is not enough to say, “I will do this” and “I will do that.”
By this stage, Nigerians should be hearing: I have done this. I have delivered that. This is what changed. This is what remains to be done, and if given another opportunity, I will do more.
That is the standard voters should apply to every political party and every candidate — APC, ADC, PDP, Labour Party, APM or any other platform.
This is not about party, tribe or religion.
It is about accountability.
The Tinubu administration deserves credit where its policies have produced measurable progress, just as it must accept criticism where Nigerians continue to experience hardship, insecurity and economic pressure.
The beauty of democracy is that voters will have another opportunity to decide.
The 2027 presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the APC’s proposed campaign timetable places its Kaduna launch at the beginning of a nationwide mobilisation effort and its grand finale in Lagos on January 9.
Ultimately, political rallies can produce spectacular pictures, huge crowds, colourful flags, music and powerful speeches.
But elections are not won permanently by photographs.
They are decided by voters.
And when Nigerians eventually stand before the ballot box, the question should not simply be who organised the biggest rally?
The bigger question should be:
Who has the record, the credibility and the practical plan capable of delivering the Nigeria Nigerians want?
That is the real debate that should continue long after the Kaduna campaign flags have been packed away.
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