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EMPTY SEATS WELCOME TINUBU AT CAMPAIGN RALLY IN RIVERS, SAYS NDC SPOKESMAN

November 8, 2026 • Dons Eze • 1 min read

The spokesperson of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Theo Abu
has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the turnout at its political rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, alleging that the party offered ₦50,000 to individuals to attend the event.

Agada made the allegation while reacting to a video of the Rainbow Coalition rally, which was shared by Arise News during its live coverage of the event on Saturday.

The rally, organised by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was attended by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC governors and other prominent party leaders as part of efforts to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general election.

Reacting to the footage, Agada described the rally as underwhelming, claiming that the APC’s mobilisation efforts, including an alleged payment of ₦50,000 per person, failed to attract the expected crowd.

“What an underwhelming campaign rally in Rivers State by the rudderless APC. Despite paying people ₦50,000 each to fill the stadium, Rivers people rejected the APC and their money,” he wrote.

The NDC spokesman’s comment has added to the political exchanges surrounding the Port Harcourt rally, particularly over the level of attendance and the APC’s efforts to secure support in Rivers State.

Dons Eze

DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.