Security operatives yesterday stationed vans and vans across the Abuja City Gate forward of the “mega march” to be headlined by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, and his operating mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
At the town gate, armed personnel have been seen milling around the landmark, successfully limiting a convergence on the premises or surrounding areas.
Security companies deployed within the space included officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJF), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The heightened safety presence follows a plan to carry a mega march and nationwide rally in Abuja yesterday by a coalition of help teams backing Obi and Kwankwaso.
The rally was scheduled to start at 8am, with the town gate designated because the take-off level.
Speaking to journalists on the event, one of the mobilisers of the rally, Saint Samson, mentioned members have been prevented from gathering at Unity Fountain amid heavy safety presence within the metropolis.
“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 mentioned.
“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 mobiliser mentioned the march was peaceable and was not meant to oppose or assault the federal government.
“We are not against the government or attacking the government, so sending security to chase us and attack us is not democracy,” he mentioned.
He added that the group was regrouping to stop casualties, insisting that its members weren’t violent or aggressive.
“We don’t want any casualties, so we are putting our men together. We are not violent people; we are not aggressive,” he mentioned.
