The Kaduna State Police Command has halted a proposed rally organised by supporters of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, citing security threats and potential disruption to public order.
The rally, planned to coincide with Obi’s birthday celebration, was suspended after the command said it received intelligence reports indicating that criminal elements intended to infiltrate and hijack the event to incite violence and disrupt public peace.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the police warned that any individual or group that flouts the order will face legal consequences.
The command reiterated that all political rallies and gatherings of a political nature remain suspended across Kaduna State until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially lifts the ban and commences political activity ahead of the next elections.
According to the statement, the scheduled date for the Obi rally clashes with INEC-approved primary elections for other political parties in the state. The police explained that these parties had officially notified security agencies about their primaries, which are to be held in designated areas across the state.
“The planned rally is expected to overlap with and disrupt several areas designated for the conduct of the other political parties’ primaries, thereby posing a significant risk of tension, clashes, and a breakdown of law and order,” the statement read.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of individuals to associate and honour political figures, the police emphasised that public safety and order must take precedence.
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