Get Guardian on GoogleThe African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has described the large crowd that welcomed its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in Sokoto on Wednesday as an expression of public dissatisfaction with the administration of President Bola Tinubu and growing support for the party’s promise to make life more affordable.
In a statement signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication, ADC Presidential Campaign Council, ADC campaign train was flagged off in Sokoto amid a massive turnout, with supporters lining the route from Sultan Muhammad III International Airport to the party’s state secretariat.
The motorcade took three and a half hours to reach the rally venue as men, women, youths and the elderly, including mothers, trooped out to welcome and accompany Atiku Abubakar.
In several parts of the city, commercial and official activities reportedly came to a standstill as residents abandoned their daily engagements to join the procession and attend the rally.
The campaign council described the turnout as spontaneous, insisting that the crowd was not mobilised through financial inducements but reflected growing frustration among Nigerians over the rising cost of food, transportation, fuel and other essential commodities.
It also alleged that attempts to frustrate the rally had heightened public resentment, accusing the Sokoto State Government of denying the ADC access to public facilities requested for the campaign flag-off and placing obstacles in the way of its activities.
The council said the actions of the state government and its political allies could not suppress the people’s political choices, adding that the large turnout demonstrated the determination of residents to participate in the campaign.
At the rally, Atiku reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the cost-of-living crisis and restoring confidence among households and businesses.
The former vice president’s proposed economic measures include a targeted, production-based subsidy for qualifying petroleum products refined in Nigeria.
According to the campaign council, linking the proposed intervention to domestic production would help reduce fuel costs and ease the pressure of high transportation and energy expenses on food prices and household budgets.
The ADC said its economic agenda was centred on making essential goods and services more affordable, supporting local production and responding to the everyday challenges confronting 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,” the council said.
