NDC Protests Police Cancellation of Obi-Kwankwaso March in Akwa Ibom

NDC Protests Police Cancellation of Obi-Kwankwaso March in Akwa Ibom

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement in Akwa Ibom State have protested the cancellation of a planned two-million-man march for Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in Uyo.

The march, organised in support of the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, was scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2026, to coincide with Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, however, directed all political parties, groups and associations to reschedule rallies, meetings, processions and other political activities earlier approved for the day.

In a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the command said the decision followed intelligence indicating that some individuals might exploit scheduled political activities to cause disturbances and threaten public peace.

The police said the directive was issued in the interest of public safety and security and applied across Akwa Ibom State.

Addressing journalists in Uyo, the state director of the Obidient Movement, Benjamin Smith, expressed anger over the cancellation, describing the decision as an afterthought.

Smith said the movement had previously engaged the police over the proposed march and claimed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, had initially approved the event.

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According to him, representatives of the party and the organising committee met with the police on September 29. He said the police subsequently raised concerns about the availability of personnel to provide security for a gathering of the proposed size.

Smith said the police also cited the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been scheduled to hold its own rally in the state from October 1 to 3, raising concerns about possible clashes between supporters of the different political groups.

The Obidient Movement director claimed that more than N20 million had already been spent on mobilisation across Akwa Ibom’s 31 local government areas before the police directive was issued.

He accused the police of violating the group’s rights to peaceful assembly and said the NDC and its supporters would oppose any future cancellation of the event.

Smith, however, urged supporters to remain law-abiding and said a new date for the march would be announced.

The cancellation was followed by the reported arrest of Elijah Noah, the Akwa Ibom coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, during efforts to stop supporters from proceeding with the march in Uyo. Premium Times reported that Noah was arrested after the police directive cancelling previously approved political processions for October 1. (premiumtimesng.com)

The development occurred amid heightened political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Obi-Kwankwaso camp stepping up activities across the country.

The cancellation and subsequent confrontation have brought renewed attention to the balance between political gatherings, public safety and the right to peaceful assembly as parties and political movements intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.

NDC Protests Police Cancellation of Obi-Kwankwaso March in Akwa Ibom