From dancing retirees to singing youths, the APC Presidential Rally in Nasarawa was more than a political gathering—It was a celebration of hope, culture and political solidarity
By Sam Israel
If there was ever a political rally where entertainment competed fiercely with politics for the attention of the audience, the APC presidential campaign rally at Lafia Square on November 4, 2026, was certainly one of them. What unfolded was not merely a gathering of party faithful to listen to political speeches; it was a spectacular carnival of culture, music, dance, laughter, excitement and unrestrained political enthusiasm.
From the moment the cultural troupes took over the stage, Lafia Square became a theatre of entertainment where age, status and political responsibility appeared to have been temporarily suspended. Young men and women danced with extraordinary energy, while elderly men and women joined the celebration with a determination that suggested they had come not just to witness history but to become part of it. There was no dull moment. Every corner of the square had its own story, rhythm and excitement.
For some of the elderly participants, particularly retired public servants who had spent decades in active service, the rally offered something more valuable than political speeches: a temporary escape from the pressures of retirement, the worries of everyday life and the burden of responsibilities that never seem to end. Watching some of them dance with youthful enthusiasm, one could hardly believe that the years of public service had taken their toll. For a few unforgettable hours, retirement stress appeared to have been placed on compulsory leave.
Indeed, if laughter, music and dancing could be prescribed as a temporary remedy for the worries of life, Lafia Square on that memorable day would have qualified as a giant recreational centre. The cultural performances were so captivating that even those who came primarily to listen to political leaders found themselves surrendering to the irresistible rhythm of the drums.
The atmosphere was equally colourful with the flying of flags belonging to different APC candidates. Youths and women proudly displayed the flags of their preferred political leaders, while their sponsors watched with satisfaction. The various pavilions within the square were filled to capacity, leaving many supporters standing under the scorching Lafia sunshine. Yet, the heat did little to diminish the enthusiasm of the crowd. If anything, the determination of the participants to remain at the venue demonstrated the emotional connection many had established with the event.
Interestingly, the rally was not only a political affair but also a thriving marketplace. Traders selling drinks and other refreshments had a field day as supporters purchased beverages in quantities that suggested the heat had become an additional campaign attraction. For those who came to sell, the rally was an opportunity to make brisk business. By the time the event ended, many traders must have had good reasons to return home smiling. In a gathering where politicians were seeking votes, the traders were certainly counting their earnings.
And then came the songs!
The familiar political chants reverberated across the square, with supporters singing, drumming and dancing as though the entire city had been transformed into a giant musical arena. The popular “Wadada Gwona, Wadada Gwonma” chant generated excitement among supporters, while others enthusiastically echoed “Almakura Anti Party!” The songs, repeated with infectious energy, became part of the rally’s entertainment package.
The spectacle was reminiscent of a football stadium where spectators sometimes believe they can play better than the footballers on the pitch. At Lafia Square, however, the supporters were not merely spectators. They were the performers, the musicians, the dancers and, in their own estimation, the political analysts of the day. Every chant carried a message, every dance expressed an emotion, and every flag represented a political aspiration.
However, amidst the celebration, there was also a need for vigilance. As with other large public gatherings, reports of suspected individuals seeking to take advantage of the crowd to steal money and mobile phones highlighted the importance of security. Such incidents, where confirmed, are a reminder that a successful public event must combine entertainment and political engagement with adequate protection of participants. The reported intervention of security personnel in apprehending suspected offenders was therefore an important development in safeguarding the gathering.
The arrival of Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors, Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, other APC leaders and government officials brought the excitement to another level. The thunderous jubilation that greeted their arrival demonstrated the emotional intensity of the gathering. Supporters waved flags, shouted political slogans and welcomed the dignitaries with an enthusiasm that momentarily drowned out the ordinary sounds of the square.
Yet, beyond the entertainment and excitement, the rally carried a clear political message.
Vice President Kashim Shettima called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, pointing to the administration’s achievements and policies in education, healthcare and infrastructural development. He also urged the people of Nasarawa State to support Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu for governor, alongside other APC candidates.
The message was unmistakable: the APC leadership was seeking to consolidate its political influence at the national and state levels, presenting the 2027 elections as an opportunity for continuity and the extension of its political programmes.
The National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, also used the occasion to project the party as a platform capable of delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians. His message, like those of other party leaders, was centred on the need for continued support for the APC.
The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas; and other prominent party leaders also expressed confidence in the APC’s political prospects, assuring supporters that the party would continue to work towards improved governance at the federal and state levels.
But perhaps the most politically significant moment for Nasarawa State came when Governor Abdullahi Sule addressed the gathering.
The governor, visibly pleased with the large turnout of APC supporters from across the state, praised the people for their solidarity and enthusiasm. He reaffirmed his support for Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu as his preferred successor, urging the people of Nasarawa State to rally behind the APC governorship candidate.
The governor’s declaration was met with an enthusiastic response from the crowd, which repeatedly answered in the affirmative when asked whether it would support Wadada in 2027.
For Senator Wadada Aliyu, the rally was another opportunity to stand before a massive gathering of party supporters and receive the political endorsement of the state’s incumbent governor and prominent national leaders. The occasion reinforced his position within the APC’s political structure and placed his governorship ambition firmly within the broader campaign for the party’s continued control of government.
Nevertheless, while the enthusiasm of a political rally is important, the real test of political leadership lies beyond the dancing, the singing and the colourful display of flags. It lies in the ability to translate campaign promises into policies that improve the lives of ordinary citizens. The people of Nasarawa State, like Nigerians elsewhere, ultimately expect better education, accessible healthcare, employment opportunities, improved infrastructure, security and economic prosperity.
The rally therefore presented both a celebration and a challenge. The APC demonstrated its ability to mobilise supporters, attract political leaders and create an atmosphere of excitement. The responsibility now rests on its candidates to convince voters that the promises made on the campaign trail can become meaningful realities.
The large turnout at Lafia Square may have provided the APC with an encouraging political signal, but the ultimate verdict will come from the ballot box in 2027. Political enthusiasm is valuable, but democratic legitimacy is earned through the votes of the electorate.
As the sun gradually set on the memorable gathering, the people departed with different experiences. Some went home with memories of their favourite cultural performances. Others remembered the political speeches, the songs, the dancing and the opportunity to see their leaders in person. Traders counted their earnings, while supporters continued to discuss the political implications of the event.
For many, the rally was simply a day of unforgettable entertainment. For the APC leadership, it was an opportunity to demonstrate political strength and mobilise support ahead of the 2027 elections.
And for Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, the rally offered another platform to consolidate his governorship ambition under the banner of the APC.
One thing, however, was certain: Lafia Square had witnessed a remarkable combination of politics, culture, entertainment and political mobilisation.
The rally may have ended, but its political message will continue to reverberate across Nasarawa State.
In Lafia, politics danced, culture spoke, commerce smiled, and the APC’s 2027 ambition found another stage on which to roar.
Israel JP is the Senior Special Assistant on media to Senator Wadada
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