The Kaduna State chapter of the Obidient Movement has cancelled its planned “Freedom Walk & Fuel Relief Programme” meant to mark the 64th birthday of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Naijaonpoint reports that this was disclosed by the movement’s state coordinator, Yusuf Danbaki, in a statement shared via an 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) post by the Deputy Coordinator, Prof. Danjuma Sale (@neurodrdan), on Saturday.
The decision, according to the organisers, was made “in the interest of peace” following engagements with security agencies, who raised concerns over potential threats to law and order.
The event, originally scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 2025, had drawn attention from both the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), who reportedly warned the organisers about a possible hijack by hoodlums.
According to the statement, while Danbaki was still in Abuja, security operatives reached out to caution him about the risks associated with the public event.
Upon his return to Kaduna, Danbaki, along with members of the organising committee, including Prof. Sale, Daniel Ejembi, Prince Natty Auta, Evans Obi, and Ezekiel Chikwuemeka (also known as Concern), was invited to the Sabo Police Station for further discussions.
The meeting later escalated to a high-level engagement with the Kaduna State Police Commissioner and the Director of the DSS, both of whom expressed concerns about the rally’s political implications.
Security officials reportedly told the group that the planned walk and fuel donation activities amounted to an “unauthorised political gathering,” especially as political primaries for upcoming by-elections were slated for the same day.
They warned that the event could escalate tensions and infringe on the rights of other citizens, citing the need to maintain stability in the state.
In response, the organisers emphasised that their movement is peaceful, lawful, and dedicated to humanitarian gestures. They argued that helping citizens should not require police approval and offered to be fully responsible for law and order during the event.
In a bid to reach a compromise, the Obidient Movement proposed scaling back the programme to include visits to hospitals, IDP camps, and prisons instead of the earlier planned walk and street music.
However, the police and DSS rejected the modified proposal, insisting that there had been no prior notification and that the new format still posed a security risk.
With no agreement reached, the Obidient Movement leadership resolved to cancel the entire event.
In the statement issued by Prof. Sale on behalf of the coordinator, Danbaki was quoted as saying, “Considering the interest of our principal and the need to preserve peace in Kaduna on this important day, we have decided to suspend the programme.”
He further urged members and supporters in Kaduna to remain peaceful, pray for Peter Obi, and pray for Nigeria.
The movement hinted at what it perceived as growing attempts to suppress political opposition, stating, “We believe this is connected to the rising popularity of our principal and attempts to silence opposition voices.”
However, it affirmed that “our principal’s commitment to peace and order is more important to us and must come first.”
Naijaonpoint had earlier reported that the Kaduna State Police Command issued a firm warning against the planned birthday rally, threatening legal action against any individual or group that violated the order.