Tinubu’s Kaduna Rally: Residents Divided As APC Faces ‘Rental Crowd’ Allegation

Mixed reactions have trailed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in Kaduna, with some residents backing his second-term bid. In contrast, others questioned the party’s popularity and demanded improved security and economic relief.

While some residents expressed support for Tinubu, citing what they described as relatively fairer food prices, others criticised the administration’s economic policies and called for the restoration of fuel subsidy.

The reactions followed the campaign rally held in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Reports of residents in parts of the state destroying some APC campaign materials after the rally also drew attention to public sentiment towards the president and his re-election ambition.

Mohamed Salihu Danlami, Speaker of the Arewa Youth Assembly, argued that the reforms introduced by Tinubu’s administration would require more time to yield results.

“We all know the state of the country before President Bola Tinubu took over, and we also know that he has introduced some reforms.

“However, reforms take time to yield results.

“Let me give you an example. If you want to sew a suit, you must first get the materials before taking them to a tailor.

“The process takes time, and everything happens gradually.

“Given the reforms we have witnessed so far, I believe that in another four years, Nigeria will be in its best shape ever since independence,” he said.

A resident of Sabo in Chikun Local Government Area, Mrs Suzan Pius, also supported Tinubu’s re-election, saying food prices were fairer than before 2023 despite the high cost of fuel.

“Yes, I want him again because the truth is, even when the fuel is on the high side, prices of foodstuffs are fair compared with what we had before 2023.

“He only needs to improve security so that people can move freely, do their legitimate business, go to the farm and sleep in their houses,” she requested.

However, Babangida Kakaki, publisher of Ballpoint News magazine in Kaduna, questioned the nature of the crowd at the rally, alleging that some attendees were mobilised with financial inducements.

He nevertheless supported Tinubu’s re-election, citing the absence of what he considered a viable alternative and the need for the South to complete its eight-year tenure.

“No, the people welcomed him because they were a rental crowd.

“They were brought in by various state governments in Northern Nigeria.

“They did not come on their own; they came because of the money they would be paid.

“Well, I want him to be re-elected. The reason is that if he can reinstate the subsidy, life can become easier for the people…

“I want him to continue, not necessarily because people like him, but because Atiku is not an alternative, as far as I am concerned.

“It is just like a choice between the devil and the Red Sea, you understand? What you might call choosing between the lesser of two evils.

“Atiku is not an alternative to Tinubu.

“If Tinubu is to become the next president, I think he should continue so that the South can complete its eight years, and the North can take over in April 2031, God willing,” he submitted.

In contrast, Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, Chief Press Secretary and Spokesman for the Kaduna State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Isah Ashiru, described the APC’s outing in Kaduna as poor.

Adubi said the reception in parts of the state raised questions about the ruling party’s claims of widespread popularity, adding that the party could not fill a venue with a capacity of more than 5,000 people.

He questioned whether the rally’s turnout reflected the level of support the APC claimed it would deliver for Tinubu in Kaduna State in 2027.

The Kaduna State APC Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Sani Haruna, however, said the party’s mobilisation for the president’s visit demonstrated what he described as the absence of a viable opposition in the state and across Nigeria.

“It has equally proven to everyone that in Kaduna State there is no opposition party.

“And equally in Nigeria there is no opposition party. We only have disgruntled elements who were in power just a few years back,” he said.

Haruna questioned the contributions of opposition figures, many of whom served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, to the development of northern Nigeria, particularly in education and economic revival.

He urged northern voters to look beyond religious and ethnic sentiments and assess political leaders based on their records and contributions to the region’s development.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, Garkuwa Baba, neither answered calls nor responded to messages seeking his reaction as of the time of filing this report.