Atiku’s Bauchi Visit Sparks Social Media War as Tinubu, ADC Supporters Trade Claims

Atiku’s Bauchi Arrival Sparks Controversy as Tinubu, ADC Supporters Clash Over Crowd Reception

Our Editor

The arrival of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Bauchi State ahead of Saturday’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign rally has triggered conflicting reactions on social media, with supporters of President Bola Tinubu and the opposition presidential hopeful offering different accounts of his reception.

While supporters of Atiku circulated videos purportedly showing residents chanting against President Tinubu, pro-Tinubu social media users claimed that the former vice president was booed and rejected by sections of the crowd during his arrival on Friday.

A pro-Tinubu supporter, Omo Ìyá Semilore, writing on his X handle, @manlikesea, claimed that Bauchi residents used Atiku’s presence to express their preference for Tinubu.

He said the crowd chanted, “Ba ma yi Atiku, sai Tinubu”, a Hausa expression meaning they did not want Atiku but preferred Tinubu.

Another pro-Tinubu supporter, Kawu Garba, claimed in a post on X that the ADC campaign team was chased out of Bauchi by residents chanting against Atiku.

He went further to claim that the former vice president would not enjoy the support of Northerners.

However, supporters of Atiku presented a different account of the reception.

Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar, writing on his X handle, @jrnaib2, claimed that Bauchi residents were chanting “Tinubu must go” at the Emir’s Palace during Atiku’s visit.

The competing claims have generated political exchanges on X, with supporters of both camps sharing videos and interpreting crowd reactions to advance their respective political narratives ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku arrived in Bauchi on Friday ahead of the ADC presidential campaign rally scheduled for Saturday, November 14.

He was received by former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Halliru Dauda Jika and other party leaders.

While the different social media accounts have presented sharply contrasting interpretations of the reception, the authenticity, timing and context of the videos being circulated require independent verification.

It is therefore unclear whether the chants represented the general mood of Bauchi residents or the reactions of particular groups along the former vice president’s movement.

The ADC rally on Saturday is expected to provide another opportunity for the opposition party to mobilise supporters and communicate its political message in the state.