ADC Mocks APC Over Empty Seats at Kaduna Rally Ahead of 2027

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its Northwest zonal rally in Kaduna, questioning the turnout and the ruling party’s claims of widespread support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a report by Vanguard published on October 24, 2026, the opposition campaign council alleged that the rally at Kaduna Township Stadium attracted fewer supporters than expected, despite efforts to mobilise participants from the seven states in the Northwest and other parts of Nigeria.

Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, claimed that the attendance did not reflect the level of political support the APC sought to demonstrate. He further alleged that some participants had been offered between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 to attend the event. These claims were attributed to the opposition council and were not independently verified in the report.

Ologbondiyan also questioned the audience’s response to speeches delivered by APC leaders, arguing that the reception did not demonstrate the enthusiasm expected at such a major political gathering.

The council raised concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s claims regarding his administration’s performance and questioned the reported commissioning of road projects during the event.

It also alleged that some people leaving the venue chanted “Ba mu yi,” a Hausa expression that Ologbondiyan interpreted as a rejection of the ruling party and its policies.

The ADC-PCC maintained that attendance at political rallies did not necessarily translate into electoral support, arguing that voters’ decisions on election day would ultimately determine the strength of the parties involved.

The opposition group further accused the APC of repeating promises made during the 2015, 2019 and 2023 election campaigns without adequately accounting for its years in government.

It also blamed policies introduced under Tinubu’s administration, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy, for worsening the financial pressure on households already struggling with rising living costs.

The council called on the APC to apologise to Nigerians over the economic situation and prepare for what it described as an orderly transfer of power in 2027.

The criticism adds to the growing political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition groups as preparations for the next general elections intensify. However, the ADC-PCC’s allegations about rally attendance and payments remain unverified claims rather than independently established facts.