The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has faulted the police decision to cancel a planned two-million-man solidarity march for its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Uyo.
The march, organised by the Obidient Movement, was scheduled to hold on Thursday as part of activities marking Nigeria’s Independence Day.
However, the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, directed political parties and groups to suspend all rallies, processions and other political activities scheduled for the day.
The police said the decision was taken following intelligence indicating that some individuals might exploit political activities to cause disturbances and threaten public peace.
In a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the police said all earlier approvals granted for political rallies, meetings, processions and other related public political activities scheduled for October 1 had been withdrawn and should be rescheduled.
The command cited the overriding need to safeguard public safety and security during the Independence Day celebrations.
But addressing journalists at a press conference in Uyo on Thursday, the State Director of the Obidient Movement, Dr Benjamin Smith, described the cancellation as unacceptable.
Smith said the police had earlier approved the organisers’ request for the march, alleging that the command’s decision to withdraw the approval came after substantial preparations had been made.
He said the organisers had spent more than N20m mobilising supporters from the 31 local government areas of the state for the event.
According to him, the organisers had also complied with an invitation from the police on September 29, which was attended by members of the planning committee for the proposed march.
Smith, who was accompanied by officials of the Obidient Movement and chieftains of the NDC, said the cancellation had caused the organisers significant financial losses.
He put the loss at about N20m and said the movement and the NDC would not accept repeated cancellation of their programmes.
He nevertheless urged supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, saying the organisers would communicate a new date for the rally.
Smith also alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress was behind the cancellation.
He recalled that the APC had operated as an opposition party before taking control of the Federal Government, arguing that it had been allowed to campaign and participate in elections during its time in opposition.
He therefore called for what he described as a level playing field for all political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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