……Accuses ruling party’s agents of mopping up PVCs to rig 2027 elections
The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) North Central zonal rally held on Saturday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, as a charade, saying the poorly attended event underscores the urgent need for a new leadership capable of making life affordable for Nigerians.
The ADC-PCC also accused agents of the ruling party of allegedly mopping up Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in several wards across the country in preparation for the January 16, 2027 elections, warning that attempts to manipulate the electoral process would not guarantee victory for the APC.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC said it watched with dismay what it described as an embarrassing spectacle masquerading as a North Central zonal rally in Lafia.
According to the Council, the rally was poorly attended and dominated by sponsored party supporters, making it little more than a political jamboree.
“Most telling was the conspicuous absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself. The President was absent and was represented by the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima. The absence of Mr President raised a lot of questions which the party failed to explain to Nigerians,” Ologbondiyan said.
“His absence, certainly, cannot be wished away,” he added.
The ADC-PCC questioned how Nigerians could be expected to trust a President who, according to the Council, failed to attend his own party’s zonal rally at a time when the country was grappling with mounting economic and security challenges.
The Council also criticised the APC for what it described as its failure to address the worsening economic situation and insecurity, arguing that the rally offered neither meaningful explanations for the government’s policy failures nor empathy for Nigerians enduring severe hardship.
“There was no explanation for why their policies are not working, no explanation for why Nigerians are being killed on a daily basis, and no empathy for the suffering masses,” the statement said.
The ADC-PCC further recalled reports concerning the deaths of more than 50 young boys in detention in Niger State, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the tragedy demanded sensitivity, accountability and responsible leadership rather than political celebration.
“They have forgotten that this is a region where about 50 young men were locked up illegally and died in detention. Yet they gathered to dance amid mourning.
“These are not leaders. These are power grabbers and authoritarian rulers who are completely disconnected from the pains of ordinary Nigerians,” Ologbondiyan said.
The Council maintained that the rally exposed what it described as the APC’s growing disconnect from ordinary Nigerians, alleging that the sparse attendance and reliance on sponsored supporters reflected declining public confidence in the ruling party.
It added that President Tinubu’s absence symbolised what it called a broader leadership failure at a time when Nigerians were contending with rising inflation, worsening insecurity and an unbearable cost of living.
“The APC promised renewed hope but delivered renewed hardship. It promised security but delivered sorrow. It promised prosperity but delivered pain.
“Nigerians have endured enough and are yearning for a reset. The ADC is ready to provide the competent, present, empathetic and people-focused leadership that will put our nation back on track,” the statement added.
The ADC-PCC also raised the alarm over alleged attempts by APC agents to mop up PVCs in different parts of the country, warning that such activities could undermine the integrity of the January 16, 2027 elections.
The Council urged ADC members and candidates contesting various positions to closely monitor PVC collection in their respective areas and promptly expose any attempt to compromise the electoral rights of eligible Nigerians.
Ologbondiyan stressed that electoral manipulation could occur at every stage of the process, not just on Election Day, urging party members to remain vigilant throughout preparations for the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that safeguarding the credibility of the polls required sustained vigilance, effective grassroots monitoring and the prompt reporting of suspected electoral malpractice to the appropriate authorities.
