The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has said the massive crowd that welcomed its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in Sokoto State on Wednesday reflected growing public dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the rising cost of living.
The party said thousands of supporters lined the route from Sultan Muhammad III International Airport to its state secretariat, where Atiku’s campaign rally was held.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said the former vice president’s motorcade took about three and a half hours to reach the rally venue due to the large turnout.
He said residents, including youths, women and elderly people, abandoned their businesses and other daily activities to join the procession and welcome the ADC candidate.
The campaign council described the turnout as spontaneous, dismissing suggestions that the crowd was mobilised through financial inducements.
It said the reception demonstrated growing support for Atiku’s promise to address the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, particularly the rising costs of food, transportation, fuel and other essential commodities.Nigeria travel guide
The ADC also accused the Sokoto State Government of frustrating its campaign activities by denying the party access to public facilities requested for the rally.
According to the campaign council, the alleged restrictions did not discourage supporters but rather heightened public resentment and strengthened the party’s mobilisation.
“The federal government and its APC allies should understand that denying people a venue cannot suppress their political choices. In Sokoto, those efforts backfired: the people came out in even greater numbers and made their voices heard,” the statement said.
At the rally, Atiku reiterated his commitment to addressing the cost-of-living crisis and restoring economic stability for households and businesses, according to the campaign council.
The former vice president proposed a targeted, production-based subsidy for qualifying petroleum products refined locally as part of his economic agenda.
The council said the proposed policy would link government support to domestic production, reduce fuel costs and ease the impact of high transportation and energy expenses on food prices and household budgets.
It said the proposal was designed to encourage local production while providing relief to Nigerians struggling with the removal of petroleum subsidy.Nigeria travel guide
The campaign council maintained that the ADC’s economic agenda was centred on making essential goods and services affordable, supporting local industries and addressing the hardship experienced by ordinary Nigerians.
“When you have a message that connects with the people, you do not need to rent a crowd. The people show up on their own,” Mr Shaibu said.