APC Accuses Atiku, ADC of Plot to Discredit Tinubu Ahead of Kaduna Campaign Rally

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of allegedly plotting to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna State.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Dele Alake, spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, as the ruling party commenced its campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general election.

The council alleged that Atiku and the ADC intended to manipulate public opinion through fake news, fabricated documents, doctored images and artificial intelligence-generated videos aimed at discrediting Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and other APC leaders.

According to Alake, the alleged misinformation campaign was designed to create a negative impression of the ruling party and its campaign activities among Nigerians.

He claimed that the alleged plot had already begun with the circulation of a photograph showing a security vehicle on routine patrol near an APC campaign billboard in Kaduna metropolis.

Alake alleged that the photograph was misrepresented as evidence that security personnel had been deployed specifically to protect the party’s campaign billboards.

He further claimed that the report was subsequently amplified by Atiku, who shared it on his official social media platforms.

The APC spokesperson maintained that the security vehicle was merely carrying out routine patrol duties and accused the opposition of attempting to portray the development as evidence of public hostility towards the ruling party.

The campaign council also raised concerns over a purported letter circulating online, allegedly written by Governor Uba Sani to the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari.

According to Alake, the document claimed that the Kaduna State Government had released ₦2.3 trillion to host the APC presidential campaign rally.

He dismissed the alleged expenditure as implausible, arguing that the figure exceeded the combined budgets of Kaduna State for 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Alake put the state’s budgets for the three years at ₦458.271 billion, ₦790.439 billion and ₦985.9 billion, respectively.

He argued that the combined figures were still below ₦2.3 trillion, questioning how the state could allegedly spend such an amount on a political rally.

The APC spokesperson said the purported letter was part of what he described as a broader effort to mislead Nigerians about the financial arrangements for the campaign event.

He further alleged that the opposition planned to circulate old footage, manipulated videos and deepfake content during the rally to create the impression that Kaduna residents were dissatisfied with Tinubu and the APC.

“We have uncovered a well-orchestrated, devious plan by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and his party to discredit the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna,” Alake stated.

He warned Nigerians against accepting unverified information circulating on social media and other platforms, urging the public to verify reports before sharing them.

The campaign council also criticised Atiku and the ADC over what it described as attempts to manipulate public opinion ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The allegations were made as the APC held its presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24, marking the beginning of its nationwide mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The rally was expected to attract party leaders, supporters and political stakeholders from different parts of the country.

The Kaduna event also marked the start of the party’s efforts to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the next presidential election.

However, the allegations against Atiku and the ADC were claims made by the APC Presidential Campaign Council. The statement did not provide independently verified evidence establishing that the former vice-president or his party orchestrated the alleged misinformation campaign.

No response from Atiku or the ADC to the specific allegations was included in the statement.

The controversy highlights the growing role of misinformation, manipulated images and AI-generated content in political communication as parties prepare for the 2027 general election.