Akwa Ibom Obidient Movement Protests Police Rescheduling of Obi-Kwankwaso Two Million-Man March

The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Obidient Movement has protested the rescheduling of its planned two million-man solidarity march for Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in Uyo, saying the decision came after substantial preparations had already been made.

The march was scheduled for October 1 as part of activities around Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration. However, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command directed all political parties, groups and associations to reschedule rallies, meetings, processions and other political activities approved for the day.

The police said the directive followed credible intelligence suggesting that some individuals could exploit political gatherings to cause disturbances and threaten public peace. Police spokesman DSP Timfon John said the affected groups should liaise with the command and propose alternative dates based on the prevailing security situation.

Speaking at a press conference in Uyo on Thursday, the State Director of the Obidient Movement, Benjamin Smith, expressed disappointment with the decision, alleging that the police had earlier approved the planned march before directing organisers to reschedule it.

Smith said the movement had spent more than N20 million on mobilisation, branding and logistics across Akwa Ibom’s 31 local government areas. He questioned why the directive was issued after the preparations had progressed.

He said members of the planning committee had met with Commissioner of Police Baba Azare and other senior officers on September 29. According to Smith, the police cited a shortage of personnel to secure a gathering of the expected size, particularly because the Peoples Democratic Party had also been cleared to hold activities between October 1 and 3.

Smith said the police had expressed concern that simultaneous political activities could create security challenges or clashes between supporters. He described the rescheduling as a setback and estimated the financial loss to organisers at about N20 million.

Despite his criticism, Smith urged supporters to remain law-abiding and said a new date for the march would be announced. He also alleged that the police directive violated constitutional rights to freedom of assembly, while maintaining that the movement and its allies would resist similar cancellations in the future.

The police, however, have described the directive as precautionary and non-partisan, saying it was issued in the interest of public safety and security. The command has directed affected political groups to submit alternative dates for consideration and said security agencies would maintain heightened vigilance across the state.