2027: APC Rally in Kaduna Can't Hide Poverty and Insecurity, PRP

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) on Thursday slammed the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its rally in Kaduna. The party said the ruling party cannot use public funds and political events to hide its failures in dealing with poverty and insecurity.

Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the National Chairman of the PRP, stated that Nigerians will not forget their economic struggles and security issues because of the APC’s campaign efforts for the 2027 elections.

In a statement from Abuja, Baba-Ahmed called the Kaduna rally an expensive attempt to win public support for the ruling party. He argued that the event showed how disconnected the APC is from the real problems Nigerians face.

The former presidential aide also questioned how much the rally cost. He accused the APC leaders of showing disrespect for Nigerians by thinking a fancy political event could make people overlook their worsening living conditions.

He said, "The contempt in the assumption that splashing trillions of our money to organise an event in Kaduna will make Nigerians forget unprecedented levels of poverty and insecurity under which we live has been noted."

He added, "The nation watched with deep concern the clumsy and outrageously expensive failure of the APC to sell deep unpopularity to a hostile nation."

Baba-Ahmed warned that the ruling party might continue to spend public money on political activities to seem popular, despite the hardship and security issues facing citizens. He noted that one lesson from the rally is that the ruling party cannot hide its poor record with money.

"One is that APC cannot paper over its failed stewardship and record with money. Nigerians could see through the charade, which was clutching at straws to create fictions that offend our sensitivities," he added.

This criticism comes as political parties start to prepare for the 2027 elections, where the performance of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration will likely be a key topic in campaigns.

Baba-Ahmed also raised concerns about Tinubu’s health. He suggested that the President should undergo close medical checks and management.

"Finally, the brief glimpses of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu at the Kaduna rally suggested a patriotic demand that he should submit himself to close medical scrutiny and management," he said.

He added, "A nation desperately needing strong, healthy and focused leadership such as ours cannot continue to avoid advising Mr President to ensure that he has the best health available for a stressed and ageing leader."

The statement did not include any medical proof to back up the chairman’s worries about the President’s health. Baba-Ahmed also criticized the security situation in the country, noting that criminal attacks and kidnappings continued even while the APC held its rally in Kaduna.

He alleged that while police were sent to protect billboards at the event, bandits were busy abducting residents from their homes in the Kaduna area. He pointed out that communities across Nigeria still suffer from insecurity, with victims and their families facing fear, ransom demands, and loss of dignity.

The PRP chairman condemned the killing of Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka at his home in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. He called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

"For what it is worth, the nation demands the arrest and prosecution of his killers immediately," he said. Baba-Ahmed insisted that the government’s inability to ensure the safety of citizens will remain a major issue leading up to the next general election.

He stressed that Nigerians have the right to demand protection, regardless of their political views. He also said the APC should not confuse its campaign activities with proof that Nigerians are satisfied with its performance.

The PRP chairman insisted that a credible election in 2027 would end the ruling party’s leadership, urging the government to focus on security and the well-being of citizens before then.

"In case the APC insists on living out its last few weeks in power in delusion, it should be reminded that a credible election in 2027 will bring an end to its failed leadership," he said.

"Until then, Nigerians will continue to demand that they are protected and allowed to live a dignified existence."