The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Obidient Movement has alleged that it lost about N20 million following the rescheduling of its planned two-million-man solidarity march for Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in Uyo.
The march, which was scheduled to hold on Thursday, October 1, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, was postponed following a directive by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.
The police had directed political parties, groups and associations to reschedule rallies, meetings, processions and other political activities earlier approved for the day.
The command cited security concerns, saying intelligence available to it indicated that some individuals might exploit the political activities to cause disturbances and threaten public peace.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the command said the directive was issued “in the overriding interest of public safety and security.”
Reacting to the development, the State Director of the Obidient Movement, Benjamin Smith, expressed disappointment over the decision, alleging that the police had frustrated preparations for the march after earlier granting approval for the event.
Addressing journalists in Uyo on Thursday, Smith claimed that the movement had spent more than N20 million mobilising supporters from the 31 local government areas of the state ahead of the event.
He said the organisers had also met with the police on September 29 after being invited by the command to discuss security arrangements for the proposed march.
According to Smith, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, told the organisers that the command would not have sufficient personnel to provide security for an estimated two million participants.
He further claimed that the police were concerned about a possible clash because the Peoples Democratic Party had also been scheduled to hold a rally in the state from October 1 to 3.
Smith, who was accompanied by officials of the Obidient Movement and some NDC chieftains, described the rescheduling as an “afterthought” and said the movement would not accept what he described as a repeat of the situation in future.
He also accused the police of violating the rights to freedom of assembly and association guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, while warning that the movement would resist similar restrictions in the future.
Despite the disagreement, Smith urged supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, saying a new date for the march would be communicated.
The police, however, maintained that its decision was based on intelligence and the need to prevent a breakdown of public order amid competing political activities in the state.
The development has put the planned Obi-Kwankwaso mobilisation in Akwa Ibom on hold, pending the announcement of a fresh date by the organisers and relevant authorities.
