The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has mocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) over what it described as a disappointing turnout at the ruling party’s Northwest zonal rally in Kaduna, alleging that the event exposed declining public support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) accused the APC of relying on paid crowds and recycled campaign promises, claiming that the Kaduna Township Stadium remained sparsely occupied despite alleged mobilisation efforts across the seven Northwest states and beyond.
In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the council said the rally, which was intended to showcase the APC’s political strength in the region, had instead raised questions about the party’s popularity.
“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,” Ologbondiyan said.
He alleged that individuals were offered between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 to attend the rally, but provided no independent evidence to substantiate the claim.
The ADC spokesman argued that attendance at political rallies should not be mistaken for genuine electoral support, insisting that the ultimate test would come when Nigerians cast their ballots in 2027.
“You can rent a crowd, but you cannot rent acceptance,” he said.
The council also questioned the enthusiasm of attendees, alleging that some expressed dissatisfaction with the APC after leaving the venue and chanted “Ba mu yi,” a Hausa expression it interpreted as a rejection of the ruling party.
It further criticised President Tinubu’s reported commissioning of road projects during the event, arguing that such ceremonies could not substitute for accountability over the administration’s economic record.
The ADC-PCC accused the APC of returning to Kaduna with promises similar to those made during the 2015, 2019 and 2023 election campaigns, contending that Nigerians were yet to receive satisfactory answers to their concerns over the cost of living.
It also faulted Tinubu over the removal of the petrol subsidy, which it said had increased the financial pressure on households already grappling with rising prices.
The council accused the President of shifting responsibility for the country’s economic difficulties to opposition figures instead of addressing the impact of his administration’s policies.
It challenged the ruling party to account for its record in government rather than organise what it described as expensive political jamborees.
The ADC-PCC called on the APC to apologise to Nigerians over the prevailing economic hardship and prepare for what it described as an orderly transfer of power after the 2027 election.
The opposition council maintained that the ADC offered Nigerians an alternative to the APC-led government, predicting that voters would use the next general election to express their dissatisfaction with the ruling party.
“The message from Kaduna is loud and clear: Nigerians are saying ‘Ba mu yi’ to the APC and Tinubu. Come 2027, they will speak even louder with their votes,” Ologbondiyan said.
The claims about crowd payments, the rally’s turnout and the alleged reaction of attendees were made by the ADC-PCC and could not be independently verified from the statement.