The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised 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 planned procession, organised by the Obidient Movement, was scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 1, as part of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The police said all previously granted approvals for political rallies, meetings and processions scheduled for Independence Day in the state had been withdrawn over security concerns.
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, had warned political parties and groups against holding rallies or street marches during the Independence Day celebrations.
According to the police, the decision followed intelligence indicating that some individuals could use political activities to cause disturbances and threaten public peace.
The police also cited concerns over its ability to provide adequate manpower to manage large crowds.
In a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the command directed political parties, groups and associations to reschedule previously approved political activities.
The statement said the decision was taken “in the overriding interest of public safety and security.”
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Uyo on Thursday, the State Director of the Obidient Movement, Dr Benjamin Smith, expressed dissatisfaction with the cancellation.
Smith said the movement had previously obtained approval from the police to organise the rally.
He described the cancellation as an afterthought and questioned why the police would withdraw the approval after preparations had already been made.
According to him, the organisers had spent more than N20 million mobilising supporters across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.
He said the cancellation had therefore resulted in significant financial losses for the organisers.
Smith said members of the movement and the NDC planning committee had also honoured an invitation from the police on September 29 regarding preparations for the proposed solidarity march.
He said the organisers were surprised by the subsequent decision to cancel the event.
Smith, who was accompanied by Obidient Movement officials and NDC chieftains, put the estimated financial loss from the cancellation at about N20 million.
He said the movement and the party would not accept similar cancellations in the future.
Despite the cancellation, Smith urged supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
He said a new date for the rally would be communicated to supporters.
The Obidient Movement director also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being responsible for the postponement.
He did not provide evidence in the statement to substantiate the allegation.
Smith reminded the APC that it had previously operated as an opposition party and, according to him, had been allowed to campaign freely before eventually winning elections.
The allegation adds another political dimension to the dispute over the cancellation of the Uyo march.
The police, however, based their decision on security concerns and intelligence available to the command.
The command said the cancellation affected all political rallies, meetings, processions and related public political activities scheduled for October 1 across Akwa Ibom State.
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The police urged political parties, groups and other stakeholders to reschedule their activities.
The cancellation comes as political parties and movements begin increasing their mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For the NDC and the Obidient Movement, the Uyo march was intended to demonstrate support for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket in Akwa Ibom.
The organisers have now said they will communicate a new date for the proposed rally while urging their supporters to remain peaceful.