A peaceful rally in support of former presidential candidate Peter Obi was forcefully halted today by security operatives in Kaduna State, sparking concerns over political freedom and the right to peaceful assembly in Nigeria.
The rally, which had gathered dozens of Obi supporters at the Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna, was dispersed early Saturday morning by heavily armed police officers who claimed the event had not received proper authorization. Eyewitnesses reported the use of tear gas to break up the crowd, while some attendees were temporarily detained for questioning.
The Kaduna State Police Command, in a statement issued shortly after the incident, confirmed the disruption of the rally and emphasized that any future gatherings without police approval will be met with strict enforcement measures.
“The Command wishes to reiterate that no public gathering, political or otherwise, is permitted without prior approval and security clearance from relevant authorities. Any violation of this directive will attract full legal consequences,” said ASP Mansir Hassan, spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command.
Organizers of the rally, however, insist that the gathering was intended to be a peaceful and democratic expression of support for Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate. They claim the crackdown is a reflection of increasing intolerance toward opposition voices in the country.
“This was meant to be a peaceful show of solidarity, not a threat to public peace,” said a local coordinator of the rally who asked not to be named for safety reasons. “We notified the appropriate bodies and followed due process. What happened today is nothing short of political intimidation.”
Human rights groups and civil society organizations have condemned the police action, calling it a violation of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. Amnesty International Nigeria described the disruption as “a troubling sign of shrinking civic space in the country,” urging the authorities to uphold the rights to freedom of assembly and expression.
The Peter Obi Support Network (POSN), a major group behind the rally, issued a statement decrying the police actions as “unlawful, undemocratic, and provocative,” warning that such moves only serve to alienate citizens from the political process.
So far, no official comment has been released by Peter Obi or the Labour Party regarding the incident.
The police have warned that any future attempts to hold similar rallies in the state without full clearance will result in arrests and potential prosecution.