ADC MOCKS OPPOSITION OVER ‘RENTED CROWDS, EMPTY SEATS’ AT KADUNA RALLY

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has mocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) over what it described as a disappointing North-West zonal flag-off rally in Kaduna, alleging that rented crowds and empty seats exposed the ruling party’s declining public acceptance.

The statement was issued on Saturday in response to President Bola Tinubu’s campaign kick-off in the state, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE MOCKERY

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, the ADC-PCC said the rally fell short of the hype, with large sections of the venue remaining empty.

“The APC had promised a historic show of force in Kaduna. What Nigerians saw was a stage-managed spectacle with rented crowds bussed in from neighbouring states and empty seats that betrayed the party’s waning popularity,” Shaibu said .

He alleged that attendees were induced with cash and other incentives to attend.

“From what we gathered, many of those present were paid to be there. Some were given food and transportation. This is not the mark of a party that enjoys genuine grassroots support. It is the mark of a party that has lost touch with the people,” he added.

THE TINUBU SPEECH

The ADC-PCC also mocked President Tinubu’s speech, in which he blamed the opposition for the hunger and poverty Nigerians are facing.

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“It was a speech built on denial. The President spent more time attacking his opponents than addressing the real issues: the soaring cost of food, the depreciation of the naira, the collapse of purchasing power, and the general hardship that Nigerians face daily,” Shaibu said .

“He spoke of prosperity in a second term. But Nigerians are asking: What happened to the prosperity he promised in the first term? The people are tired of promises. They want results”.

THE BROADER CAMPAIGN

The ADC-PCC said the Kaduna rally was the first sign that the APC’s campaign would be built on empty rhetoric and manufactured enthusiasm.

“This is just the beginning. As the campaign progresses, Nigerians will see more of this: rented crowds, staged rallies, and a government trying to convince the people that their suffering is an illusion. The reality on the ground is different,” Shaibu said .

WHY IT MATTERS

The ADC’s mockery of the APC’s Kaduna rally is part of a broader strategy to undermine the ruling party’s credibility as the 2027 campaign begins.

Whether the rally was genuinely poorly attended or the ADC’s allegation is exaggerated, the perception matters.

Perceptions of momentum and public support influence voter behaviour.

For the APC, the challenge is to project strength and unity.

For the ADC, the challenge is to convince Nigerians that the ruling party’s support is illusory.

The battle for perception is now as important as the battle for votes.The campaign has begun. And the first skirmish is over the size of the crowd. ValidViewNetwork reports.