ADC SLAMS TINUBU, APC OVER ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, QUESTIONS SAFETY OF SUPPORTERS AT KADUNA RALLY

By NaijaParrot | October 24, 2026 

Kaduna, Nigeria |  Politics 

 The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over Nigeria’s economic challenges, while raising concerns about the welfare and safety of supporters reportedly transported to the APC’s presidential campaign rally in Kaduna State. 

 The opposition party argued that the rising cost of living, pressure on household incomes and persistent security concerns deserve greater attention than political exchanges between rival parties. The controversy followed allegations by the APC Presidential Campaign Council that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the ADC were planning to undermine the ruling party’s campaign activities through fabricated documents, manipulated videos and artificial intelligence-generated content. 

 The ADC rejected the allegations and challenged the ruling party to provide verifiable evidence to support its claims.

Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, challenged the APC to substantiate its allegations against Atiku and the opposition party. 

 The APC campaign council, through its spokesperson, Dele Alake, had accused the opposition of plotting to circulate misleading materials intended to discredit the ruling party’s campaign event in Kaduna. One of the disputed materials was a purported letter claiming that the Kaduna State Government had approved ₦2.3 trillion to host the rally. 

The APC dismissed the document as false and alleged that other misleading images and videos were being circulated to damage the event’s reputation. In response, Shaibu called for evidence linking Atiku and the ADC to the alleged disinformation campaign. 

 He argued that accusations involving fabricated documents, deepfake videos and coordinated misinformation should be supported by verifiable facts rather than political assertions. The exchange has further intensified the disagreement between the ruling party and the opposition as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election. 

 The ADC also criticised the Tinubu administration over the economic pressures facing Nigerians, pointing to the rising costs of essential goods, transportation and energy. Shaibu argued that many households and businesses continue to struggle with declining purchasing power and the increasing cost of meeting basic needs. 

 He cited petrol prices reportedly reaching about ₦1,400 per litre and diesel prices exceeding ₦2,000 per litre as examples of the financial burden confronting Nigerians. The opposition spokesperson maintained that citizens had legitimate reasons to question the government’s economic policies and should not have their concerns dismissed as political propaganda. He argued that the administration should be judged by the practical effects of its policies on household budgets, business operations and living standards. 

 The ADC’s comments form part of the wider political debate over the impact of economic reforms introduced under Tinubu, including changes affecting fuel prices and the cost of living. However, the prices cited by the opposition are claims attributed to its spokesperson and may vary across locations and over time. 

 Beyond the allegations of misinformation, the ADC raised concerns about the arrangements made for supporters who reportedly travelled from different parts of the country to attend the APC rally in Kaduna. 

 referred to reports that some attendees who had travelled long distances were left sleeping outdoors while awaiting the event. He also raised questions about reports of an accident involving supporters travelling from Sokoto and Abuja to attend the gathering. 

 The ADC called for greater attention to the safety and welfare of people participating in political events, particularly those transported across long distances. Shaibu argued that campaign organisers should ensure that adequate arrangements are made for transportation, accommodation and emergency assistance rather than concentrating solely on attendance figures.  

However, details surrounding the reported accident, including the number of people involved and their condition, were not established in the information available for this report. The circumstances surrounding the alleged accommodation difficulties also require further independent confirmation. 

 The opposition party also challenged the suggestion that large crowds at political rallies necessarily reflect widespread public support. 

 According to Shaibu, transporting supporters to campaign venues does not automatically demonstrate the level of voluntary backing a political party enjoys among voters. He argued that political parties should be assessed on their policies, performance, engagement with citizens and ability to address the country’s challenges. 

 The comments reflect an ongoing political contest in which rival parties use campaign gatherings to demonstrate their organisational strength and appeal to the electorate. For the ADC, the central question is whether the government’s record on the economy and other national issues meets the expectations of Nigerians. 

 The APC, meanwhile, has defended its campaign activities and raised concerns about what it describes as attempts to spread false information about the ruling party. 

 The disagreement comes as political parties intensify their preparations for the 2027 general election. The APC and ADC have presented competing accounts of the controversy surrounding the Kaduna rally, with the ruling party alleging a disinformation plot and the opposition demanding evidence while criticising the government’s economic record. 

 The dispute also highlights growing concerns about the use of digital platforms to circulate political information, including fabricated documents, manipulated images and AI-generated videos. As election-related activities continue, the verification of political claims will remain important in helping Nigerians distinguish established facts from allegations and campaign rhetoric. 

 For now, the competing accusations between the APC and ADC have brought renewed attention to economic hardship, political communication and the welfare of supporters attending major campaign events. 

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