Politics
ADC Accuses APC of Recycling Promises, Calls for Apology Over Economic Hardship
Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) Northwest zonal flag-off rally in Kaduna 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, the Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, said an event expected to showcase the APC’s political strength across the Northwest had instead exposed what he described as the party’s declining public acceptance.
Ologbondiyan alleged that the APC mobilised people from the seven states of the Northwest and beyond, reportedly paying between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 per person. However, he claimed that the stadium, which he said had 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,” he said.
He added that the disappointing turnout was compounded by what he described as an unenthusiastic reception to the speeches and messages delivered by APC leaders.
The ADC-PCC Director 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.
Ologbondiyan 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,” he said.
The ADC-PCC accused the APC of returning to Kaduna with promises similar to those made during the 2015, 2019 and 2023 election cycles, arguing that the ruling party had failed to adequately account for its years in power.
The council also faulted President Tinubu for allegedly shifting responsibility for the hardship facing Nigerians to opposition leaders instead of addressing the economic consequences of his administration’s policies.
Ologbondiyan particularly criticised the President’s position on fuel subsidy removal, which the ADC-PCC maintains has increased the economic burden on households already struggling with rising living costs.
The council urged the APC to stop what it described as wasteful political jamborees, apologise to Nigerians for the prevailing economic difficulties and begin preparing for an orderly transfer of power in 2027.
It maintained that the ADC represents a credible alternative for Nigerians seeking a change in leadership, promising 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 declared.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
Director of Media and Publicity