Organisers Claim ₦20m Loss After Police Order Rescheduling of Planned Two-Million-Man March
The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement have protested the cancellation of a planned two-million-man solidarity march for Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in Uyo.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, had directed political parties, groups and associations to reschedule rallies, processions and other political activities planned for October 1, citing security concerns and limited manpower.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the command said credible intelligence indicated that some individuals could exploit political activities to cause disturbances and threaten public peace.
Addressing a press conference in Uyo, the State Director of the Obidient Movement, Dr Benjamin Smith, accused the police of frustrating the planned march, saying the command had earlier approved the event.
Smith said organisers had spent more than ₦20 million mobilising supporters across the state’s 31 local government areas before the cancellation.
He added that members of the planning committee had honoured an invitation from the police on September 29 over the proposed march.
Smith said the organisers considered the cancellation an unnecessary financial setback and urged authorities to allow future political activities to proceed as planned.
He, however, urged supporters to remain law-abiding, saying the movement would announce a new date for the rally.
Smith also alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was responsible for the postponement, a claim not independently established in the report.