The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has reportedly arrested the state coordinator of the Obidient movement, Dr. Ben Smith, after he went to seek the release of supporters detained during an Independence Day gathering in Uyo.
Smith was reportedly taken into custody at Ikot Akpan Abia after accompanying other members of the movement to intervene following the earlier arrest of Elijah Noah, the Akwa Ibom coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement.
Noah was reportedly arrested by armed police officers during preparations for an Independence Day march organised by supporters of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Footage circulating from the incident showed police officers surrounding Noah before taking him into a waiting vehicle. The reason for his arrest was not immediately made clear.
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A supporter, Esther Umoh, claimed that Noah had only gone to inspect the proposed starting point for the march when he was arrested.
There were also reports of tear gas being fired as supporters gathered in Uyo ahead of the planned procession.
The arrests came after the Akwa Ibom State Police Command announced the suspension of political rallies, meetings and street processions scheduled for October 1.
According to the police, the decision followed security intelligence suggesting that political gatherings on Independence Day could lead to disturbances and a breakdown of law and order.
The planned event, described by organisers as a “Two Million Man March,” was intended to mobilise supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Smith’s reported arrest has further raised concerns among members of the movement, particularly because he was said to have gone to assist supporters who had already been detained.
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has been mobilising support for the political project involving both politicians and recently announced a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council.
However, the campaign structure has faced disagreement with the Nigeria Democratic Congress, which said in September that it did not authorise the movement to establish or announce a presidential campaign council on its behalf.
The party maintained that its official structures remained in charge while describing the Obidient and Kwankwasiyyah movements as support groups within the wider political framework.
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