Opposition Fumes As Police Disrupt Obi/Kwankwaso 2m – Man Independence Day March In A/Ibom

Angry reactions have trailed the abrupt cancellation of the two million – man march by a coalition of opposition political parties in solidarity with the Obi/Kwankwaso 2027 presidential quest by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police (CP), Baba Azare.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that the OBIdient Movement in conjunction with the Kwankwasia, and other opposition forces including the State chapter of the chapter of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had coordinated supporters across the 31 local government areas for the march expected to begin from the Nwaniba water fountain to other parts of the capital, Uyo.

But CP Azare, in a move alleged to be politically – motivated, ordered immediate cancellation, forcing the OBIdient Movement stakeholders and other opposition to expressed anger over the disruption of the peaceful march aimed at celebrating the 66th independence day.

Ordering the immediate halt of the peaceful demonstration, Azare warned all political parties to stop any rally or street marching on Independence Day in the State, hinging his decision on lack of enough manpower to control such crowd.

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command wishes to inform all political parties, political groups, associations and other concerned stakeholders that, following credible intelligence available to the Command indicating plans by some individuals to exploit scheduled political activities to cause disturbances and threaten public peace, and in the overriding interest of public safety and security, all approvals earlier granted for political rallies, meetings, processions and other related public political activities scheduled to hold on Thursday, 1st October 2026, anywhere within Akwa Ibom State are hereby directed to be rescheduled,” the CP stated.

Reacting to the order, the State Director of “Obedient Movement” Dr Benjamin Smith, expressed deep annoyance and frustration over the botched demonstration and accused the Police of frustrating the planned 2 million man march for Obi/Kwankwaso ticket, even after N20 million had been committed in securing vehicles and mobilisation of supporters across the 31 local government areas.

He described the action order as an afterthought, even when the same police commissioner had granted their request to hold the 2 million – man march.

“Following a meeting held on the 29th Sept. 2026 with the CP Baba Mohammed Azare – Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, at the Police Force State Headquarters in Uyo

“The commissioner and his team, which included the DCP Simi Ibrahim – DC, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID); DCP Preye Raymond Egbetokun, DC, Finance and Administration; DC, Operations, invited members of the Planning Committee for the proposed Akwa Ibom Two Million-Man Solidarity March for Obi-Kwankwaso 2027, scheduled to hold on 1st October, 2026.

“Those invited included the State Party Chairman, the Director of Media for the march, as well as the Head of Security for the event. The Commissioner, CP Asare, informed the Party and the support groups planning the event that he and his men of the Nigeria Police Force would not have enough personnel to provide security for two million people marching on the streets of Uyo on 1st October, as the said date has already been approved for the PDP to hold its own rally, scheduled to take place from 1st to 3rd October, citing security concerns and possible clashes between the two political parties.”

Smith, who was accompanied by the officers of Obedient Movement and NDC chieftains estimated the loss by the cancellation of the 2 million-man march to the tune of N20m million, and insisted that the movement and NDC coalition would not accept further cancellation in future.

He encouraged supporters to be law – abiding as another date scheduled for the programme would be communicated to them.

“We want Nigerians to know that the police have violated the Police Act. t is a violation of the Nigerian constitution that gives the people the right of freedom of Assembly

“We want everybody to know this and we would resist it next time the rally would be scheduled. We also want everybody to know that without the constitution of Nigeria and laws , we are just a Banana Republic.”

He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as being responsible for the botched demonstration and reminded them that they were once opposition party, but were given a levelled playing ground to campaign and won the election in the past.

“We know that this is the handiwork of APC in Akwa Ibom. We want everybody in this country to know that APC was an opposition party. It was the law of Nigeria that guaranteed them the right to campaign and won elections. And it is the same laws that is available today that also guarantee other political parties the freedom to campaign and win election,” he recalled.