Obidient Movement Loses N20M as Police Cancel March

The Obidient Movement's Akwa Ibom chapter condemned the police's cancellation of its planned two million-man solidarity march for presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, scheduled for October 1, 2026, in Uyo. Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, issued a directive for all groups to reschedule activities approved for Independence Day, citing credible intelligence of potential civil unrest.

Benjamin Smith, State Director of the Obidient Movement, stated that the police had previously approved the march and that the movement had spent over N20 million mobilizing supporters across Akwa Ibom State. During a meeting on September 29, CP Azare informed the movement that the police lacked sufficient personnel to secure the event due to another rally approved for the same dates by the PDP.

Smith insisted the group would not accept further cancellations and promised to announce a new date.