The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly paying between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 to individuals to attend its Northwest zonal campaign flag-off rally in Kaduna State.
The council made the allegation following the rally held at the Kaduna Township Stadium on Saturday, describing the turnout as disappointing despite the reported mobilisation of attendees from the seven states in the Northwest and other parts of the country.
In a statement, the Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, claimed that the stadium remained sparsely occupied despite the alleged payments and efforts to bring supporters to the venue.
Ologbondiyan said the rally, which was intended to showcase the APC’s political strength in the region, instead raised questions about the ruling party’s level of public acceptance.
He also criticised the reception given to speeches by APC leaders, describing the audience’s response as lacking enthusiasm.
The ADC official further questioned President Bola Tinubu’s performance claims and criticised the reported commissioning of road projects during the event.
Ologbondiyan alleged that some attendees expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling party after leaving the stadium, claiming they chanted “Ba mu yi,” a Hausa expression he interpreted as a rejection of the APC and its policies.
“You can rent a crowd, but you cannot rent acceptance,” he said, adding that the true measure of political support would be determined by voters at the ballot box.
The opposition council also accused the APC of repeating promises made during previous election cycles, particularly those of 2015, 2019 and 2023, without adequately accounting for its years in power.
It further criticised Tinubu for allegedly blaming opposition politicians for Nigeria’s economic difficulties rather than addressing the impact of his administration’s policies.
The council specifically faulted the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that the decision had increased the financial burden on households already struggling with rising living costs.
The ADC-PCC called on the ruling party to stop what it described as wasteful political gatherings, apologise to Nigerians over the prevailing economic hardship and prepare for a peaceful transfer of power in 2027.
It also presented the ADC as an alternative to the APC, expressing confidence that Nigerians would use the next general election to register their dissatisfaction with the current administration.
The allegations concerning payments to rally attendees were claims made by the ADC-PCC and were not independently verified in the report.
