The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has directed political parties, groups and associations to suspend and reschedule rallies, meetings, processions and other political activities earlier approved to take place in the state on October 1, 2026.

The directive affected a planned two million-man solidarity march by supporters of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Uyo.

According to the police, the decision followed security intelligence indicating that some individuals could attempt to exploit political gatherings to cause disturbances and threaten public peace. The directive was issued by Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare through the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, on September 30.

The command said all previously granted approvals for political rallies, meetings, processions and related public political activities scheduled for October 1 across Akwa Ibom were to be rescheduled.

It also instructed political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders not to proceed with activities based on approvals that had previously been issued.

The police described the measure as precautionary and non-partisan, saying it was intended to protect lives and property and prevent a possible breakdown of law and order. Affected organisers were advised to contact the command to propose alternative dates for their activities.

Reacting to the development, Akwa Ibom State Director of the Obidient Movement, Dr Benjamin Smith, expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the planned Obi-Kwankwaso march.

Speaking at a press conference in Uyo, Smith said the organisers had already invested more than ₦20 million in mobilisation, branding and logistics across the state's 31 local government areas. The figure was presented by the organisers and has not been independently verified.

Smith also said representatives of the movement and the event's planning committee had met with the police on September 29. According to him, the police raised concerns about their capacity to provide security for a gathering projected by organisers at two million participants.

He further claimed that the police had cited the scheduling of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in the state from October 1 to 3 as another concern, with the possibility of competing political gatherings creating security challenges.

The Obidient Movement questioned the timing of the police directive, maintaining that it had gone through the required process before preparing for the event. Smith also argued that the cancellation affected the organisers' preparations and expenditure.

Despite his criticism, Smith called on supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while saying that a new date for the march would be announced.

The police, meanwhile, maintained that the decision was based on security considerations and advised the organisers to submit a fresh date for consideration.

The development comes as political parties and support groups intensify preparations ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections. The Obi-Kwankwaso camp is among the political groupings already holding engagements and mobilisation activities in different parts of the country.

The disagreement in Akwa Ibom therefore centres on the timing and security implications of the planned march, with the police citing public safety concerns while the organisers have questioned the reversal of the earlier approval.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia