WorldStage– The campaign arm of a Nigeria’s main opposition party, the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC), has condemned the Kano State Police Command’s disruption of a peaceful anti-government demonstration, describing the clampdown as shameful, unconstitutional, and a disturbing descent into authoritarianism.
The incident occurred at The Avenue Event Center in Kano, where a group of concerned youths led by Barrister Abba Hikima gathered for a peaceful rally under the banner “Tinubu Must Go.”
According to statements released by the ADC-PCC, police operatives heavily barricaded the venue and intimidated participants in an attempt to halt the demonstration.
The campaign council expressed deep outrage over reports that the Kano State Police subsequently arrested the owner of the event center for allowing the youths to use the private facility.
The ADC-PCC labeled the arrest a direct attack on private enterprise and a glaring indicator of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government’s total intolerance of political dissent.
In an official statement issued by the ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the council accused law enforcement of openly violating citizens’ fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, which are explicitly protected under the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
“This is not democracy. This is tyranny,” Ologbondiyan stated, questioning the continuous deployment of state police forces to suppress dissenting voices.
He noted the stark irony of an administration that publicly claims to uphold democratic principles while reacting with fear and intimidation toward citizens exercising their civil liberties.
The ADC-PCC commended the bravery of the youth organizers who stood their ground despite intimidation.
Highlighting the economic subtext of the protest, Ologbondiyan reminded the government that heavy-handed security tactics cannot mask the deep socioeconomic suffering across the country.
“The message from Kano is loud and clear: Nigerians are tired, hungry and angry,” Ologbondiyan remarked. “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.”
The council demanded the immediate release of the facility owner and called on the federal government to respect constitutional provisions guaranteeing the right to peaceful protest.
