Tension has emerged in Akwa Ibom State after the police command stopped a planned two-million-man march organised in support of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, prompting angry reactions from organisers and supporters. The march, coordinated by the Obidient Movement, was scheduled for October 1 in Uyo as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. […]
Tension has emerged in Akwa Ibom State after the police command stopped a planned two-million-man march organised in support of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, prompting angry reactions from organisers and supporters.
The march, coordinated by the Obidient Movement, was scheduled for October 1 in Uyo as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The decision followed a directive from the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, asking political parties, groups and associations to reschedule rallies, processions and other political activities planned for the day.
The police said the decision was based on intelligence suggesting that some individuals could take advantage of political gatherings to cause disturbances and threaten public peace.
The command also cited security concerns and limited manpower, saying the available personnel could not adequately provide security for political rallies and street processions during the Independence Day celebrations.
Reacting to the development, the State Director of the Obidient Movement, Dr Benjamin Smith, accused the police of frustrating the planned march, describing the rescheduling as an unexpected development after preparations had already been completed.
Smith claimed that the police commissioner had initially approved the request for the march before the command later directed the organisers to choose another date.
According to him, more than N20 million had already been spent mobilising supporters across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State ahead of the event.
He said the financial impact of the cancellation was a major concern for the organisers, insisting that the movement and the Nigeria Democratic Congress would not accept similar disruptions of their political activities in the future.
Smith also disclosed that members of the planning committee met with the police on September 29 after being invited by the command to discuss security and other arrangements for the proposed march.
Reports from the organisers indicated that the police raised concerns over the challenge of controlling such a large gathering, as well as the possibility of clashes with other political activities planned in the state.
Despite the development, Smith urged supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that a new date for the march would be announced.
He also alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress was behind the postponement, arguing that the party had previously enjoyed the opportunity to organise political activities when it was in opposition.
However, the allegation against the APC was made by Smith and was not contained in the police statement announcing the rescheduling of the march.
The development has added another layer of political tension in Akwa Ibom ahead of the 2027 elections, as the organisers maintain that they should be allowed to conduct lawful political activities.
The police have meanwhile directed the organisers to choose another date and engage with the command and other security agencies for consideration and approval.