Shettima YerimaCapacity Movement throws weight behind activist as Kaduna dazzles with car and bike races to mark Nigeria at 65
Kaduna came alive on Wednesday as hundreds of bikers and car racers turned major streets into a carnival of colours in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary. The spectacle, organised by the youth-driven Capacity Movement, was not only a display of motor sport excitement but also a rallying point to rekindle hope, unity, and patriotism among Nigerians.
The colourful parade kicked off at Centenary Park, opposite the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, before riders and drivers cruised through Ali Akilu Road into Kawo, returning to the flag-off point to the cheers of jubilant residents. Excited school children, traders, and passersby lined the streets, waving flags and applauding as the bikers roared past in a rare showcase of energy and entertainment.
While the breathtaking motor spectacle thrilled the crowd, the highlight of the day came when the Capacity Movement formally endorsed prominent activist and Convener of the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Forum, Shettima Yerima, for the Kaduna Central Senatorial seat in 2027.
National President of the group, Comrade Shehu Sani Sado, said the endorsement was the outcome of wide consultations and a recognition of Shettima’s long-standing contributions to the democratic struggle and social justice. According to him, the group’s name, “Capacity Movement,” is an acronym for credibility, accountability, projection, ability, creativity, integrity, tenacity, and yielding, values he said Yerima embodies.
“Shettima ticks all the boxes. He represents the true meaning of capacity and has remained a consistent voice in our democratic journey. We believe he is the right person to represent Kaduna Central, restructure the system, and restore stability. That is why we are backing him fully,” Sado declared.
The endorsement drew loud cheers from participants, many of whom hailed Shettima as a steadfast voice for democracy in Northern Nigeria. The group emphasized that their decision was also aimed at inspiring young people to take more active roles in politics and leadership.
Addressing the crowd, Yerima expressed gratitude but adopted a cautious tone over the mounting calls for him to join the 2027 race. “It is too early to politicise the issue. I’ve heard the calls, and I appreciate them. When the time is right, I will respond accordingly,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful about the country’s future despite prevailing challenges. “Whether we like it or not, the fact that we remain together in our quest to build a united nation is worth celebrating. Even when perceived enemies attempted to divide us, we stayed as one, which shows resilience,” he noted.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s six-and-a-half decades of independence, Yerima described the journey as one filled with hurdles but expressed optimism about the current administration under President Bola Tinubu, whom he called “a true democrat and product of struggle.” He further said, “Today, we enjoy freedoms we didn’t have in the past. The economic situation is improving slowly, and the insecurity that plagued the North for years is being addressed with vigour. We must continue to support the government so it can deliver.”
One of the participants, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who rode with a large Nigerian flag strapped to his motorcycle, described the parade as a demonstration of hope and energy. “This is our way of telling the world that Nigerian youths are not giving up. We are resilient, and we believe the future can be better if we all play our part,” he said.
As the day wound down, it was clear that the Independence celebration in Kaduna was more than a motor show. It carried political undertones and reinvigorated conversations about the future of leadership in Nigeria’s North-West. For many, the event was not just a celebration of the past 65 years but also a pointer to what the next chapter of Nigeria’s political journey might hold.
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