Monday, October 12, 2026 - 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.
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