The African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has blasted President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, over what he described as a fake show of support in Kaduna during the APC campaign flag-off.

In a post on his verified X handle on Saturday, Sowore said the APC and Tinubu want Nigerians to mistake a packed stadium for nationwide support.

According to him, the Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna holds just 5,000 people, adding that supporters were transported in from across Nigeria to fill it.

"You packed 5000 people in Kaduna and called it nationwide support? The APC and the Tinubu government want Nigerians to mistake a 'packed' stadium for nationwide support.

"Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna holds just 5,000 people, even at that, supporters were transported in from across Nigeria to fill it," Sowore said.

The human rights activist stressed that President Tinubu will still lose the 2027 presidential election despite the alleged staged crowd.

"In 2027, President Bola Tinubu will still lose the election," he added.

You packed 5000 people in Kaduna, called it nationwide support – Sowore mocks Tinubu, APC

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, APC-PCC, Senator Abdul'aziz Yari, has assured President Bola Tinubu of the support of Northern political leaders, traditional rulers and Islamic clerics for his re-election bid in 2027.

Yari gave the assurance at the flag-off of the APC presidential campaign in Kaduna, where Tinubu and governors from Northern states were present.

He said the party had been engaging influential figures across the region to secure their support for Tinubu's return to office, citing continuity and peace as reasons for backing the president.

“We have been engaging all and sundry, our traditional rulers, our ulama and our imams, to understand the importance of your return in 2027 for continuity, for the peace of this country and for Nigeria,” Yari said.

He told Tinubu that key political figures in the North had gathered for the campaign launch.

He expressed confidence that the region would support the president in the next election.

“We are fully behind you in Northern Nigeria, and by God's grace, we will demonstrate our support for your re-election on January 16, 2027,” Yari said.

The APC chieftain described Kaduna as the spiritual centre of politics in Northern Nigeria.

He noted that the presence of governors from across the region reflected the importance of the campaign event.

Yari praised Tinubu's administration, claiming that the president's policies had improved key economic indicators since he assumed office.

He cited the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes in the exchange rate as examples of the administration's reforms.

He added that the APC would present the administration's performance to voters as it seeks another mandate in 2027.

“We urge Mr President to listen carefully to the concerns of Northern Nigeria and ensure that justice is served,” Yari said.

2027: North solidly behind you – Yari tells Tinubu