There is increased security presence as trucks and vans were stationed at the Abuja city gate on Saturday ahead of a scheduled Obi-Kwankwaso Mega March led by Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso.
During a site visit, TheCable observed numerous armed officers stationed around the iconic landmark, preventing any assemblies on or near the grounds.
The security deployment comprised personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Civilian Joint Task Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Authorities tightened security in response to a coalition of Obi-Kwankwaso support groups planning a massive march and national rally in Abuja on Saturday.
Organizers designated the city gate as the assembly point for the rally, scheduling the start for 8:00 a.m.
Rally organizer Saint Samson told TheCable that the heavy security presence prevented members from gathering at Unity Fountain.
“We got to Unity Fountain, but there was a security presence when we arrived, and some of our members were repelled from converging. We have decided to move to another location,” Samson said.
“What we want to do is to mobilise support and campaign for the candidates of our party, as the constitution requires us to do, and gather to tell Nigerians what we have for them.”
The mobilizer emphasized that participants conducted a peaceful march without any intent to oppose or attack the government.
Additionally, he maintained that group members demonstrated no hostility or violence, adding that the supporters regrouped to prevent potential casualties.
Watch the video
Backstory…
The coalition had scheduled a mega march and national rally for Saturday, October 24, with Abuja City Gate designated as the starting point. The event was intended to mobilise support for the candidates and promote their political agenda ahead of the election.
Meanwhile, this comes as party supporters and government officials flooded Kaduna, the former capital of Northern Nigeria on Friday as they gathered for the launch of the 2027 APC presidential campaign scheduled for Saturday.
Crowds overflowed from the campaign venue onto Independence Way and neighboring boulevards, completely filling the stadium.
Read Also: Tinubu Kicks Off Campaign in Kaduna Amid Massive Turnout
