The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has condemned the disruption of the “Tinubu Must Go” rally in Kano State by the police, describing the action as unconstitutional, shameful and an indication of growing intolerance for dissent under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.
The rally, led by Barrister Abba Hikima and organised by concerned youths, was reportedly disrupted when police operatives barricaded The Avenue Event Centre, Kano, where the gathering was scheduled to take place.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, accused the police of violating Nigerians’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
The council also expressed concern over the reported arrest of the owner of the event centre for allegedly allowing the facility to be used for the rally, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the individual if still in custody.
Ologbondiyan questioned the rationale behind the reported arrest, arguing that making a facility available for a peaceful gathering should not expose a business owner to police action.
“This is not democracy. This is tyranny. For how long will the APC continue to use the police to suppress dissenting voices?” he queried.
He described the disruption as ironic, noting that a government that professes commitment to democratic values should not appear threatened by citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
According to him, the determination displayed by the authorities in stopping the rally would have been better directed towards addressing insecurity, banditry and the rising cost of living.
“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,” Ologbondiyan said.
He further argued that the country would be safer and more prosperous if the government devoted similar energy to tackling insecurity and economic hardship.
The ADC-PCC commended Hikima and the youths who participated in the rally for their courage and determination to express their grievances despite the reported police intimidation.
The council called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Kano State Police Command to ensure the release of the event centre owner, if still detained, and refrain from actions capable of undermining democratic freedoms.
It also urged civil society organisations, human rights groups and the international community to pay attention to what it described as a growing threat to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Nigeria.
Reaffirming its position, the council maintained that the right to protest was guaranteed by the Constitution and should not be treated as a privilege granted by the police or any political party.
“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 statement added.
The ADC-PCC reiterated its solidarity with Hikima, the participating youths and Nigerians seeking political change, insisting that peaceful dissent remained an essential component of democratic governance.
