2027: “They Will Run for Cover When Campaign Begins” – Presidency Sends Fresh Warning

The Presidency has warned opposition members against intimidating supporters of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, issued the warning in a post made on Tuesday via his X handle.

He said this while reacting to an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally where some participants were heard chanting support for former vice-president and presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar.

Dada praised supporters of Tinubu in northern Nigeria for resisting what he described as intimidation by individuals opposed to the president.

He wrote, “So proud of our northern brothers for not bowing to intimidation from anti-democratic elements trying to demonize supporting PBAT. Keep up the good work, they will see campaign they will run for cover.”

The development comes amid growing political activities and tensions among supporters of different candidates ahead of the next presidential election.

In September, a mild drama occurred during a solidarity walk in support of Tinubu’s re-election in Zamfara State when some participants chanted Atiku’s name instead of expressing support for the president.

A video from the event captured the crowd chanting, “Sai Atiku,” in an apparent show of support for the ADC presidential flag-bearer.

Atiku is among the opposition figures seeking to unseat Tinubu in 2027.

Dada’s comment also comes amid protests by members of the ‘Tinubu Must Go’ (TMG) movement over an alleged blockade of the venue where they planned to hold a meeting.

Abba Hikima, a lawyer and one of the movement’s conveners, raised an alarm last week that policemen prevented members from accessing the venue.

The movement describes itself as a non-partisan platform for public enlightenment aimed at mobilising Nigerians to vote out Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, Aisha Yesufu, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to prepare to defend themselves against attacks by suspected political thugs.

Yesufu, a socio-political activist, made the call in a video shared on her X handle, alleging that security agencies had failed to protect citizens.

She urged opposition supporters to resist attacks against them.

“Courtesy is not a strategy when you are fighting tyrants. It is as simple as that. There is one person on the ballot that Nigerians believe can do the job. If APC has results the way they are trying to tell you, they will not be out there looking for who to attack,” she said.

She added, “And this attacks, we must protect ourselves. If the Nigeria Police cannot protect you, you have to protect yourself. The constitution allows you to protect yourself.”

Yesufu also cited a statement by the NDC’s Enugu governorship candidate, who reportedly urged supporters not to attack anyone but to retaliate if attacked.

“If they are coming to attack you, attack back. Make everybody understand that if they want peace, we all have to be prepared for war,” she said.

Her comments followed an attack on NDC supporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Emene, Enugu State, and sporadic shootings at the party’s secretariat on Saturday.

The incidents occurred during the party’s governorship campaign flag-off in the state.

Supporters of Obi have also reportedly faced attacks in Delta, Benue, Enugu and other states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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