Presidency speaks on Abuja City Gate security deployment amid Obi-Kwankwaso march

The Presidency has reacted to reports of military tanks and personnel of the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps being deployed to Abuja City Gate over the Obi-Kwankwaso march in the nation’s capital.

The heavy security presence was reportedly linked to the Obi-Kwankwaso march to mobilise support for the election of Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

However, reacting to the development, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on social media, Dayo Olusegun, dismissed claims linking the heavy security presence to the Obi-Kwankwaso march.

He explained that the heavy security presence was a standard procedure whenever the President was embarking on a trip.

He said not everything should be interpreted as an attempt to suppress the opposition.

According to him, the Tinubu administration would continue to uphold democracy ahead of the 2027 general election.

“This is a standard security procedure whenever the President is embarking on a trip, put in place to ensure his safety.

“Not everything should be interpreted as an attempt at suppression. We are in a democracy, and we will continue to uphold democratic principles and abide by the rule of law,” he wrote on X.

https://x.com/DOlusegun/status/2113977148960547167

DAILY POST reports that Tinubu is in Kaduna State to kick off his presidential campaign.

Earlier, Tinubu’s campaign team alleged that the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, had attempted to sabotage the incumbent President’s campaign kick-off.

However, Atiku, in a statement by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, said Tinubu’s alleged abysmal performance was enough to campaign against his re-election.

DAILY POST reports that Tinubu, Atiku, Peter Obi and 15 other presidential candidates are set to battle for the presidency in the January 16, 2027, election.