Notable political figures including the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Senator Shehu Sani were conspicuously absent during the All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally in Kafanchan, Kaduna South Senatorial District, Eko Hot Blog reports
The high-profile rally, aimed at receiving over 22 prominent defectors from opposition parties, witnessed a significant turnout despite the absence of key political stakeholders.
Criticizing the event, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, who represents Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, labeled the attendees as a “rented crowd” and challenged Governor Uba Sani to hold an election within the state to gauge his popularity.
Senator Usman took to social media, mocking the APC in Kaduna State as “Papalolo,” a derogatory term implying a lack of genuine support.
“If you truly knew you had the support of your rented crowd, why didn’t you allow the conduct of election in at least one ward within the State.
“Even the governor could not cast his vote at his polling station during the time”.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Spokesperson of the governor of Kaduna State, Ibrahim Musa, said, political stalwarts from the three Senatorial Districts of Kaduna turned out in their number to reinforce their confidence in Senator Uba Sani led administration.
The statement pointed out that defectors to the ruling party include serving and former Federal legislators, members of the state House of Assembly, former council chairpersons, state party chairpersons and flag bearers of opposition parties.
The APC held a zonal rally in Kafanchan in Southern Kaduna to receive defectors into the party from other zones.
Part of the statement read: “Governor Uba Sani has received over 22 political heavyweights from the opposition parties and their supporters, at the All Progressives Party, APC, zonal rally which was held at Kafanchan on Friday.
The event which held at New Choice Hall, was witnessed by thousands of APC supporters from Southern Kaduna and political stalwarts from across the state, who passed a vote of confidence on the Uba Sani administration.”
