Supporters Imported To Fill Kaduna Stadium — Sowore Accuses Tinubu, APC

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has dismissed the crowd at President Bola Tinubu’s campaign rally in Kaduna, alleging that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is attempting to portray attendance at the event as evidence of nationwide support for the President ahead of the 2027 general election.

Sowore, in a post on his verified Facebook handle on Saturday, accused the ruling party and the Tinubu administration of relying on a large crowd at the Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna to create an impression of widespread public acceptance.

“The All Progressives Congress and the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime want Nigerians to mistake a ‘packed’ stadium for nationwide support,” he wrote.

The AAC presidential candidate further claimed that the stadium had a capacity of only 5,000 people and alleged that supporters had been transported from different parts of the country to fill the venue.

“Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna holds just 5,000 people, even at that, supporters were transported in from across Nigeria to fill it,” Sowore stated.

He subsequently expressed confidence that Tinubu would lose the 2027 presidential election, declaring: “In 2027, Tinubu will still lose the election.”

Sowore’s remarks came as the APC formally commenced its presidential campaign for the 2027 elections with a rally at the Ranchers Bees Stadium, also known as Kaduna Township Stadium.

Tinubu attended the event alongside Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, APC governors, ministers, lawmakers and other party leaders, while supporters gathered at the venue from different parts of the country.

The rally marked the beginning of the ruling party’s mobilisation efforts for Tinubu’s re-election bid, with the President appealing to Nigerians to give him another mandate.

Addressing the crowd, Tinubu thanked his supporters and urged them to return him to office in 2027.

“Thank you for this massive showing up. It is a promise. Come 2027, January 16, you must go out massively and elect me again,” he said, according to Reuters.

The President also defended his administration’s economic policies amid persistent public concerns over the cost of living, hunger and poverty.

Responding to criticism from opposition figures, Tinubu accused his political opponents of being responsible for the country’s economic difficulties.

“They created the hunger. They created the poverty. We are trying to eradicate it,” he said.