Rejection of President Bola Tinubu has spread from the north to the south after the All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Cross River State drew few people and left many seats empty. The same pattern appeared earlier in Kaduna State.
In Kaduna on October 24 the party held its northwest campaign start at the stadium the venue stayed sparsely filled even after efforts to bring supporters from several states. Some people who left the event chanted Ba ma yi a Hausa phrase that means we do not want you.
Those present linked their anger to daily hardship and rising insecurity across the region.
Today in Calabar the party staged another rally at the U J Esuene Stadium. Vice President Kashim Shettima attended and spoke about economic changes that he said are starting to show results.
He also listed projects such as the coastal highway and a deep seaport that the government promises for Cross River. Reports from the ground and social media described low attendance with empty spaces visible in the stands. Some accounts said people paid to attend still did not come.
Nigerians in both the north and the south continue to voice the same complaints. Many talk about high food prices fuel costs and the struggle to meet basic needs. Others point to banditry kidnappings and attacks that have not stopped. Because of these problems large numbers of people say they will not vote for Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Party leaders have described the gatherings as successful and urged support for a second term. The visible empty seats in Kaduna and now Cross River however show that many ordinary citizens remain unconvinced. The pattern of low turnout has appeared in different parts of the country and matches the widespread talk of hardship and fear of violence.
