Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has derided President Bola Tinubu’s government for mobilising security agents to protect its campaign billboards from vandals while citizens are exposed to bandits and kidnappers’ attacks.

Mr Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reacted on social media to reports of security agencies protecting Mr Tinubu’s billboards in Kaduna on Friday.

“Bola, you claim Nigerians love you, yet your billboards in Kaduna require security guards,” Mr Abubakar said. “Bandits raid villages, terrorists attack communities, and families live in fear. Your posters enjoy protection that millions of Nigerians can only dream of.”

For Mr Abubakar, mobilising security agents to protect billboards while citizens are exposed to violent bandits and terrorist attacks shows the poor priorities of Mr Tinubu’s government.

“What a tragic statement of your government’s priorities. Bola, please protect Nigerians with the same urgency you protect your image!” Mr Abubakar said.

Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson for Mr Tinubu, could not be reached for comment.

Mr Abubakar’s remarks came hours after Daily Trust reported that security officials were protecting Mr Tinubu’s campaign billboards in Kaduna State. 

The report stated that the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and police officers were seen guarding Mr Tinubu’s billboards ahead of the presidential campaign kickoff scheduled for Saturday.

“We were assigned alongside KASTLEA marshals to protect Tinubu’s billboards and posters from being vandalised before the campaign rally. Our duty is mostly at night because that is when the youths can carry out such acts,” the outlet quoted a security operative.

Viral videos of angry citizens vandalising Mr Tinubu’s campaign billboards have emerged on social media as the 2027 presidential election schedule for January approaches.