The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its political messaging and economic record, accusing the ruling party of failing to adequately address the hardship facing Nigerians despite years in power.
The council’s criticism followed the APC’s Northwest zonal flag-off rally in Kaduna, where it questioned the ruling party’s claims of political strength and challenged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to account for the impact of its policies on citizens.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC alleged that the rally failed to attract the level of public enthusiasm expected from an event designed to demonstrate the APC’s influence across the Northwest.
The council claimed that despite reported mobilisation efforts involving attendees from the seven states in the region and beyond, the Kaduna Township Stadium remained sparsely occupied.
It further alleged that some attendees had been offered between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 to participate in the gathering. The allegation was not independently verified.
Ologbondiyan argued that attendance at political rallies should not be mistaken for genuine public support, insisting that voters would ultimately determine the popularity of political parties through their choices at the ballot box.
He also questioned the reception given to speeches by APC leaders, describing the reported response as inconsistent with the ruling party’s attempt to project political strength.
The ADC-PCC’s criticism extended beyond the rally’s attendance to the APC’s record in government. It accused the ruling party of repeating promises made during the 2015, 2019 and 2023 election campaigns without sufficiently addressing concerns over economic conditions and the welfare of citizens.
The council particularly faulted the Tinubu administration over the removal of petrol subsidies, arguing that the policy had intensified the financial pressure on households already struggling with rising living costs.
It also accused the president of shifting responsibility for the country’s economic difficulties to opposition leaders rather than adequately explaining the outcomes of his administration’s policies.
On infrastructure, the council questioned Tinubu’s reported commissioning of road projects at the Kaduna event, using the occasion to challenge the government’s claims about its achievements.
Ologbondiyan further alleged that some people leaving the rally expressed dissatisfaction with the APC, reportedly chanting “Ba mu yi,” a Hausa expression meaning “We don’t want it.”
The council maintained that the reported chants reflected its interpretation of growing dissatisfaction with the ruling party, although the extent to which the incident represented broader public opinion was not independently established.
The ADC-PCC urged the APC to focus on addressing economic challenges rather than what it described as wasteful political gatherings. It also called on the ruling party to apologise to Nigerians over the prevailing hardship and prepare for a peaceful transfer of power in 2027.
Reaffirming the ADC’s position as an alternative to the APC, the council expressed confidence that the next general election would provide voters with an opportunity to assess the ruling party’s record.
“You can rent a crowd, but you cannot rent acceptance,” Ologbondiyan said, arguing that the decisive measure of political support would be the outcome of the election.
The APC’s response to the ADC-PCC’s allegations was not contained in the statement.
With the 2027 general election approaching, the exchange highlights the growing political contest over economic performance, public support and the competing claims of the ruling party and opposition groups.
