Nigeria, Oct. 29 -- History has a way of choosing its own geography. When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose Kaduna to flag off his 2027 re-election campaign on Saturday, 24 October, he chose more than a location. He was sending a historic message.

Kaduna is Nigeria's political ground zero. From here, the old Northern Region administered the entire North. It was here that alliances were forged. By starting his campaign where the North still feels its pulse, Tinubu told northern Nigeria, "I have not forgotten you."

Ranchers Bees Stadium, Kaduna, the rally venue, was packed with party supporters and sympathisers who had thronged the stadium from as early as 7 a.m. Some supporters slept overnight at the stadium. President Tinubu's speech wa...