The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) Northwest zonal flag-off rally in Kaduna as a monumental disappointment.
In a statement, Director of Media and Publicity of ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the event intended to demonstrate APC’s political strength across the Northwest exposed declining public acceptance.
Reacting to the rally held at Kaduna Township Stadium, Ologbondiyan alleged that APC mobilised people from seven states of the Northwest and beyond with payments reportedly ranging from N50,000 to N100,000 per person, yet the stadium remained sparsely occupied.
“For a rally billed as the Northwest zonal flag-off, what we witnessed was disappointing. Despite mobilisation of crowds from across the zone and beyond, the stadium remained scantily filled, with empty seats everywhere,” he said.
He added that turnout was compounded by unenthusiastic reception given to speeches and messages of APC leaders.
The ADC-PCC Director also criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reported commissioning of road projects at the event, questioning the administration’s claims of performance.
Ologbondiyan further alleged that some attendees expressed dissatisfaction with ruling party after leaving the stadium, chanting Hausa phrase “Ba mu yi,” which he interpreted as rejection of APC 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 ADC-PCC said APC returned to Kaduna with promises similar to those made during 2015, 2019 and 2023 election cycles, arguing that ruling party had not adequately accounted for its years in power.
It also faulted President Tinubu for shifting responsibility for hardship facing Nigerians to opposition leaders rather than addressing economic consequences of his administration’s policies.
Ologbondiyan criticised President’s position on fuel subsidy removal, which ADC-PCC maintains has intensified economic burden on households.
The council urged APC to apologise to Nigerians over prevailing economic difficulties and prepare for transfer of power in 2027.
It maintained that ADC represents credible alternative for Nigerians seeking change in leadership.
“The message from Kaduna is loud and clear: Nigerians are saying ‘Ba mu yi’ to APC and Tinubu. Come 2027, they will speak even louder with their votes,” Ologbondiyan said.
