The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised the Akwa Ibom State Police Command over the cancellation of a planned two-million-man solidarity march in support of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The march was scheduled to take place in Uyo on October 1, as part of activities planned to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day.
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Azare, had directed political parties, groups and associations to reschedule rallies, meetings, processions and other political activities approved for the date.
The police said the decision followed intelligence indicating that some individuals could exploit political gatherings to cause disturbances and threaten public peace.
However, the Akwa Ibom State Director of the Obidient Movement, Benjamin Smith, faulted the decision during a press conference in Uyo.
Smith alleged that the police commissioner had earlier approved the planned march before directing the organisers to reschedule it.
He said the organisers had spent more than N20 million mobilising supporters across the state’s 31 local government areas before the cancellation.
According to him, organisers also attended a meeting with the police on September 29 following an invitation from the command to discuss security arrangements for the event.
Smith said the police subsequently raised concerns about having enough personnel to provide security for a gathering involving a large number of participants.
He also said the planned march could create a clash with political activities organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had scheduled activities in the state between October 1 and 3.
The NDC representative described the police decision as unacceptable and argued that citizens should be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
He said the organisers would remain law-abiding but would communicate a new date for the march.
The police, however, maintained that its decision was based on security considerations rather than political affiliation.
According to Commissioner Azare, the command had received an earlier request from the PDP for political activities from October 1 to 3, while the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement later requested permission for its two-million-man march on October 1.
The police said the overlapping activities raised concerns about possible clashes and the ability of security personnel to manage the crowds.
The command subsequently directed affected political groups to reschedule their activities.
The controversy comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties and support groups organising rallies and mobilisation programmes across the country.
The development has also triggered a wider debate over the balance between public security and citizens’ right to peaceful political assembly.
The NDC and the Obidient Movement have indicated that another date would be announced for the proposed march, while the police have urged political groups to comply with its directives in the interest of public safety.
