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The Obidient Movement has threatened to mobilise supporters for wider protests across the country over the arrest of its Akwa Ibom State Coordinator, Dr. Ben Smith; the State Coordinator of the OK Movement, Mr. Elijah Noah, and other members during a peaceful march.
In a statement signed by its Media and Communications Directorate, Mr. Onyeka Dike, on Friday, the group described the arrests as an attack on democracy and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those in custody.
It accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Akwa Ibom State Police Command of using the police to intimidate opposition voices, warning that continued harassment could deepen public anger and trigger protests beyond the state.
The statement said: “It is deeply disturbing that in a democratic society, citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly should be met with police intimidation, harassment and arrest.
“This brazen attack on the fundamental rights of citizens is a dangerous assault on democracy and an unacceptable attempt to suppress legitimate political expression.”
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The movement alleged that the police response to the march was “heavy handed”, insisting that its members committed no offence by identifying with the Obidient Movement and exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
It further accused the police of allowing itself to be used for political persecution by the APC, alleging that the force was acting as an instrument for suppressing opposition voices.
While declaring its commitment to peaceful political expression, it however warned that its restraint should not be interpreted as surrender, noting: “If citizens can no longer assemble peacefully, express their grievances or demonstrate their political convictions without fear of arrest, then our democracy has been officially suspended.”
The movement demanded an end to what it described as intimidation and harassment of its members and other opposition groups, insisting that the right to peaceful protest must be respected irrespective of political affiliation.
It warned that failure by the authorities to address the arrests could lead to wider mobilisation.
