ADC Mocks APC Over Kaduna Flag Off Campaign

By Ayodele Oni

African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has observed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) rented a crowd for the Northwest zonal flag-off rally in Kaduna.

It described the rally as a monumental disappointment, accusing the ruling party of relying on rented crowds, empty seats and recycled promises.

Reacting to the rally held at the Kaduna Township Stadium in a statement, the Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, said an event intended to demonstrate the APC’s political strength across the Northwest has instead exposed what he described as the party’s declining public acceptance.

The statement alleged that the APC mobilised people from the seven states of the Northwest and beyond, with payments reportedly ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 per person, yet the stadium, which he put at a capacity of 5,000, remained sparsely occupied.

“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.”

It added that the turnout, which he described as disappointing, was compounded by what he called the unenthusiastic reception given to the speeches and messages of APC leaders.

The ADC-PCC statement also criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reported commissioning of road projects at the event, describing the exercise as troubling and questioning the administration’s claims of performance.

It further alleged that some attendees expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling party after leaving the stadium, chanting the Hausa phrase “Ba mu yi,” which he interpreted as a rejection of the 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.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, as an “enemy of the North” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The SGF made the remarks during a pre-campaign meeting with Benue State indigenes residing in Kaduna.

The former Benue State governor argued that Atiku’s presidential ambition does not serve the interests of northern Nigeria, urging political leaders and residents of the region to reconsider supporting his bid for the presidency.

“2027: Atiku is North’s enemy,” Akume declared

He maintained that the North should support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that the president should be allowed to complete two terms in office before power returns to the region.

Akume called on northern leaders to rally behind Tinubu, insisting that supporting the incumbent would preserve the existing arrangement for the rotation of presidential power.