By Oxford Reporters
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government over the reported police disruption of a “Tinubu Must Go” rally in Kano State, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of suppressing opposition voices and undermining democratic freedoms.
The party, through its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said the reported deployment of security operatives to prevent participants from accessing The Avenue Event Centre in Kano raised concerns about Nigerians’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
In a statement issued on Sunday, October 11, 2026, the ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, condemned the alleged barricading of the venue and intimidation of participants who had gathered for the rally, reportedly led by Barrister Abba Hikima and organised by concerned youths.
The opposition party also expressed concern over reports that the owner of the event centre had been arrested for allegedly allowing the facility to be used for the gathering.
The ADC questioned the rationale behind the reported arrest, arguing that providing a venue for a peaceful political gathering should not expose a business owner to intimidation or prosecution.
Describing the alleged police action as unconstitutional and undemocratic, the party accused the APC-led administration of using security agencies to frustrate citizens seeking to express dissatisfaction with government policies.
“You can stop a rally and arrest a venue owner, but you cannot arrest hunger in the land,” Ologbondiyan said.
The party maintained that the reported incident reflected growing frustration among Nigerians over economic hardship, insecurity and the rising cost of living.
Earlier reports indicated that police officers and more than 10 mobile police vehicles were deployed around the event centre to prevent participants from accessing the venue.
One of the rally organisers, in a video shared online by Sulaiman Uwaisu Idris, an ADC member, alleged that the police deployment obstructed the group from exercising its civic rights.
The organiser said the meeting was scheduled to take place in a privately rented, enclosed facility and that the organisers had paid for the venue themselves.
He also alleged that Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, contacted him on Saturday regarding the planned gathering. According to him, he explained that the meeting would be peaceful and held within an enclosed environment.
The organiser further argued that the gathering was protected by the constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Reacting to the reports, the ADC cited the 1999 Constitution, as amended, particularly Sections 39 and 40, which provide for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and association.
The party described the alleged obstruction as inconsistent with democratic principles and called on the police to remain impartial in their handling of political activities.
“This is not democracy. This is tyranny. For how long will the APC continue to use the police to suppress dissenting voices?” Ologbondiyan asked.
Despite the reported disruption, the ADC commended Hikima and the youths involved in the rally for their determination to express their concerns about the country’s political and economic situation.
According to the party, the incident underscored the level of public frustration over the current state of the nation.
The ADC also criticised what it described as the government’s misplaced priorities, arguing that similar efforts should be directed towards tackling insecurity, banditry and the economic difficulties confronting citizens.
“If the APC government had deployed the same energy it used to stop a peaceful rally at The Avenue Event Centre to tackle insecurity, banditry and the excruciating cost of living, Nigeria would be a safer and more prosperous nation,” Ologbondiyan stated.
The party called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Kano State Police Command to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the event centre owner, if the individual remained in custody.
It further urged police authorities to avoid actions that could undermine public confidence in the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force.
The ADC also appealed to civil society organisations, human rights groups and the international community to monitor developments relating to freedom of expression and peaceful political participation in the country.
Reaffirming its position, the party said the right to peaceful protest was constitutionally guaranteed and should not be treated as a privilege dependent on the approval of 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,” Ologbondiyan added.
The party expressed solidarity with Hikima, the youths involved in the Kano gathering and other Nigerians calling for political change.
