The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the large crowd that came out to welcome Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate, in Sokoto on Wednesday showed rising public dissatisfaction with the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication of the ADC presidential campaign council, said the party’s campaign train was flagged off in Sokoto, with supporters manning the route from Sultan Muhammad III International Airport to its state secretariat.
Shaibu stated that the motorcade of Atiku took three and a half hours to get to the rally venue as residents, comprising men, women, and youths, came out to welcome the former vice-president.
He stated that activities came to a standstill in parts of the city as residents left their workplaces and abandoned their daily engagements to join the procession and attend the rally.
He described the turnout as spontaneous, saying it showed public frustration with the rising cost of food, transportation, fuel and other basic necessities.
He also accused the Sokoto state government of denying the ADC access to public facilities requested for the campaign flag-off and obstructing the party’s activities.
“The federal government and its APC allies should understand that denying people a venue cannot suppress their political choices,” Shaibu said.
“In Sokoto, those efforts backfired: the people came out in even greater numbers and made their voices heard.”
“The ADC’s message is clear: Nigerians deserve a government that makes life more affordable, supports local production and responds to the hardship people face every day,” Shaibu said.
“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,” he added.
