Nigeria @65: Bikers, Car Racers Dazzle Kaduna In Celebration

Hundreds of bikers and car racers on Wednesday turned the streets of Kaduna into a carnival of colours as they dazzled residents in celebration of Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary.

The spectacle, which began at the Centenary Park opposite the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, saw the riders and racers cruise through Ali Akilu Road into Kawo, before returning to their starting point.

Excited schoolchildren, traders and passersby lined the streets, waving flags and cheering the bikers as they roared past in a rare display of motor sport entertainment.

The event, organised by the youth-driven Capacity Movement, was designed not only to celebrate the country’s milestone but also to rekindle hope and unity among Nigerians.

Speaking at the occasion, prominent activist and Convener of the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, urged citizens to remain hopeful about Nigeria’s future despite its challenges.

“Whether we like it or not, the fact that we remain as a nation in our quest to build a united country is worth celebrating. Even when perceived enemies try to disintegrate us, we have stayed together. That shows resilience,” shettima said.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s six-and-a-half decades of independence, Shettima said the journey had not been without hurdles, but expressed optimism in the current administration under President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as “a true democrat and product of struggle.”

He added, “Today, we enjoy freedoms we didn’t have in the past. The economic situation is improving slowly, and insecurity, which had marred the North for years, is being addressed with vigour. We must continue to support the government so that it can deliver.”

On the increasing calls for him to contest in the 2027 general elections, Shettima adopted a cautious tone, neither confirming nor dismissing the speculations.

“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 added.

However, in what came as the highlight of the Independence Day outing, the Capacity Movement formally endorsed Shettima for the Kaduna Central Senatorial seat in 2027.

National President of the group, Comrade Shehu Sani Sado, said the endorsement followed wide consultations and was a recognition of Shettima’s values and contributions to the democratic struggle.

He explained that the group’s name, Capacity Movement, was not accidental but an acronym standing for Credibility, Accountability, Projection, Ability, Creativity, Integrity, Tenacity, and Yielding.

“Shettima ticks all the boxes. He embodies the true essence of capacity, and that is why we believe he is the right person to represent Kaduna Central. We believe he is one of the few leaders who can truly restructure the system and restore stability. That’s why we’re backing him fully,” Sado said.

The youth leader stressed that the movement’s decision was also driven by the desire to push for quality leadership and to reinvigorate youth engagement in politics.

“We, the youth, must realise that nobody will come from elsewhere to build Nigeria for us. The responsibility is ours.

“It will be a disservice to our forebears if we don’t recognise how far we’ve come. National milestones like this must always be celebrated,” he added.

The endorsement drew loud cheers from participants, many of whom hailed Shettima as a consistent voice in the struggle for democracy and social justice in Northern Nigeria.

One of the bikers, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who rode with a large Nigerian flag strapped to his motorcycle, told The WHISTLER that he joined the parade to showcase “hope and energy.”

He said, “This is a 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 do our part.”

The Independence Day spectacle, combining entertainment with political undertones, brought a festive mood to Kaduna and rekindled conversations about the future of leadership in Nigeria’s North-West region.