The stage is set for tomorrow’s All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaigns kick off next year’s general election in Kaduna.
The ancient city – the political headquarter of the North – will be aglow with festivities as it hosts President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and other party leaders.
The Kaduna Township Stadium, venue of the National Presidential Mega Campaign Rally, organised by the Senator Abdulaziz Yari-led APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) is wearing a new look.
It is decorated with banners of various kinds welcoming the party leaders, including governors, ministers and other stakeholders.
Ahead of the president’s visit to the state, the Kaduna State Police Command has announced restrictions on the movement of trailers, tankers, lorries and other heavy-duty vehicles across the metropolis from midnight of today (Friday) to 8pm tomorrow.
Kaduna is among the 12 states where President Tinubu, who has vowed not to abandon governance during the electioneering, will make appearance for the campaigns.
Restrict heavy-duty vehicles in Kaduna
The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, who announced the restriction of vehicles during a security briefing, said it is intended to reduce congestion and ensure the free movement of vehicles during the presidential visit.
He said: “After due consultation and consideration between the security committee and members of all transport unions in the state, it is hereby agreed that there is going to be restriction of movement from 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.”
Rabiu clarified that the restriction would apply only to heavy-duty vehicles, not other commuters.
He added: “This restriction only applies to all trailers, tankers, lorries, articulated and other heavy-duty vehicles only, not other commuters. This is done because we want to decongest and make free movement of vehicles in the metropolis.”
Rabiu said the command, working with the military, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies, had activated comprehensive security arrangements to protect the President, dignitaries, campaign participants and members of the public.
Rabiu said the deployment would include conventional police personnel, tactical teams, explosive ordnance disposal personnel, traffic management units and crowd-control teams across the campaign venue and other strategic locations.
The commissioner advised people without legitimate business at the venue to stay away from the site and its immediate surroundings.
On traffic diversions, Rabiu advised heavy-duty vehicles travelling from Zaria towards Kaduna to divert through the Maraban Jos–Saminaka route towards Gadan Gayan, then use the Kujama Road link to Mararaba Rido and the Eastern Bypass before reconnecting with the Abuja–Kaduna Highway through Kakau Bridge.
Vehicles travelling from Abuja towards Kaduna and Zaria were advised to use the Eastern Bypass from Kakau Bridge, proceed through Mararaba Rido and Gadan Gayan, and connect to the Maraban Jos route towards Zaria.
The commissioner also warned against the destruction of campaign posters, particularly those of President Tinubu.
