Tinubu’s Aide Explains Military Deployment At Abuja City Gate

Military personnel, tanks and other security operatives were deployed around the Abuja City Gate on Saturday ahead of a planned mega march by supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The deployment sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the presence of armed security personnel ahead of the planned rally. In contrast, others described it as a standard security measure.

Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, explained that the deployment was part of the security arrangements for the President’s movement.

In a post on his official X account, Olusegun said the presence of security operatives should not automatically be interpreted as an attempt to suppress political activities.

“This is a standard security procedure whenever the President is embarking on a trip, put in place to ensure his safety.

“Not everything should be interpreted as an attempt at suppression. We are in a democracy, and we will continue to uphold democratic principles and abide by the rule of law.”

Earlier, a video circulating online showed security operatives and vehicles stationed around the Abuja City Gate ahead of the planned mega march.

According to TheCable, armed personnel were seen around the landmark, restricting supporters from gathering on the premises and in the surrounding areas.

Security agencies deployed to the area included the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Civilian Joint Task Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The deployment followed plans by a coalition of support groups backing Obi and Kwankwaso to hold a mega march and national rally in Abuja on Saturday.

The rally was scheduled to begin at 8am, with the City Gate designated as the take-off point.

Speaking with TheCable, Saint Samson, a mobiliser for the rally, said members of the group were prevented from gathering at Unity Fountain due to the heavy security presence.

“We got to Unity Fountain, but there was a security presence when we arrived, and some of our members were repelled from converging. We have decided to move to another location,” Samson said.

“What we want to do is to mobilise support and campaign for the candidates of our party, as the constitution requires us to do, and gather to tell Nigerians what we have for them.”

Samson insisted that the march was peaceful and was not intended to oppose or attack the government.

“We are not against the government or attacking the government, so sending security to chase us and attack us is not democracy,” he said.

He added that the group was regrouping to prevent casualties, maintaining that its members were not violent or aggressive.

“We don’t want any casualties, so we are putting our men together. We are not violent people; we are not aggressive,” he said.

The deployment generated mixed reactions on X, with some users accusing the government of suppressing opposition activities, while others defended the security measures.

A user, @JohnAkor21, wrote: “Tinubu and APC are afraid of the people of Abuja. Tinubu must go”.

Another user, @QuintusOrigen, criticised the deployment, saying: “No military tank for kidnappers, but military tank for civilians expressing their rights to associate. Fascism at its peak”.

However, @Gasbytweet defended the security arrangements, writing: “Presidential security is a standard precaution, not automatically an act of suppression. Let’s distinguish legitimate security measures from political speculation and respect the rule of law”.