The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, ADC-PCC, has criticised the All Progressives Congress, APC, over its Northwest zonal flag-off rally in Kaduna, alleging that the event was poorly attended despite claims of large-scale mobilisation.
In a statement, the ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the rally at Kaduna Township Stadium failed to demonstrate the ruling party’s level of public support.
He alleged that people were brought from the seven Northwest states and other areas, with payments reportedly ranging from N50,000 to N100,000 per person. Despite this, he claimed the stadium, which he said could accommodate 5,000 people, had many empty seats.
“For a rally billed as the Northwest zonal flag-off, what we witnessed was a shameful spectacle. Despite the alleged mobilisation of crowds from across the zone and beyond, the stadium remained scantily filled, with empty seats everywhere,” he said.
Ologbondiyan also described the audience’s response to speeches by APC leaders as unenthusiastic, arguing that the turnout raised questions about the party’s acceptance among voters.
He questioned President Bola Tinubu’s reported commissioning of road projects during the event, criticising the administration’s claims of achievements.
The ADC-PCC spokesperson further alleged that some people leaving the stadium expressed dissatisfaction with the APC by chanting “Ba ma yi,” a Hausa expression he interpreted as a rejection of the party and its policies.
“You can rent a crowd, but you cannot rent acceptance. Even if people attend a rally, that does not mean they have surrendered their convictions. The real test of public support is what Nigerians will decide at the ballot box,” he said.
The opposition campaign council accused the APC of repeating promises made during the 2015, 2019 and 2023 election campaigns without adequately explaining its performance after years in power.
It also faulted Tinubu for allegedly blaming opposition figures for the difficulties facing Nigerians instead of addressing the effects of his administration’s economic policies.
The council specifically criticised the removal of fuel subsidies, saying the policy had increased the financial pressure on households already struggling with the rising cost of living.
It called on the APC to stop what it described as wasteful political gatherings, apologise to Nigerians over the country’s economic difficulties and prepare for a peaceful transfer of power in 2027.
The ADC-PCC said it offered an alternative for Nigerians seeking a change in leadership and urged voters to express their views through the ballot in the next general election.
Kaduna rally: ADC mocks APC over alleged empty seats, rented crowds