The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has condemned the disruption of the ‘Tinubu Must Go’ rally in Kano by the state police command, describing the action as “shameful” and unconstitutional.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the council accused the police of violating Nigerians’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
The rally, led by Barrister Abba Hikima and organised by concerned youths, was reportedly disrupted when police officers barricaded The Avenue Event Center in Kano and allegedly intimidated participants.
Despite the police action, the ADC-PCC said the youths remained determined to express their views.
The council also expressed concern over the reported arrest of the event centre’s owner for allegedly allowing the venue to be used for the gathering. It questioned why a business owner should be arrested for providing a venue for a peaceful protest.
“This is not democracy. This is tyranny. For how long will the APC continue to use the police to suppress dissenting voices?” Ologbondiyan asked.
He said it was ironic that a government which claimed to support democratic values appeared threatened by citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
“The message from Kano is loud and clear: Nigerians are tired, hungry and angry. You can stop a rally and arrest a venue owner, but you cannot arrest hunger in the land. You cannot barricade the anger and frustration of over 200 million people,” he said.
Ologbondiyan accused the government of misplaced priorities, arguing that the resources and effort used to disrupt the rally should instead be directed towards addressing insecurity, banditry and the rising cost of living.
“If the APC government had deployed the same energy it used to stop a peaceful rally at The Avenue Event Center to tackle insecurity, banditry and the excruciating cost of living, Nigeria would be a safer and more prosperous nation,” he added.
The ADC-PCC commended Hikima and the youths who took part in the rally for their courage in speaking out despite the reported police intimidation.
The council called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Kano State Police Command to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the event centre’s owner, if still in custody.
It also urged the police to avoid actions that could turn the force into an instrument of political oppression.
The council further appealed to civil society organisations, human rights groups and the international community to monitor what it described as a growing threat to democratic freedoms in Nigeria.
“The right to protest is not a privilege granted by the police or the APC; it is a right guaranteed by the Constitution. No amount of intimidation will stop Nigerians from demanding change.
“The ADC stands firmly with Barrister Abba Hikima, the courageous youths of Kano and every Nigerian who has found the courage to say enough is enough,” the statement added.
ADC condemns police disruption of ‘Tinubu Must Go’ rally in Kano