Tension in Mopamuro as Rally Dispersal Triggers Political Reactions, Calls for Probe

Political tension has escalated in Mopamuro Local Government Area following the disruption of a rally linked to the Mopamuro L’okan agenda, with political stakeholders, community leaders, and youth groups offering differing accounts of the incident while urging restraint and investigation.

Reports indicate that security operatives on Thursday dispersed supporters of the movement during a rally in the area, allegedly deploying tear gas, which caused panic among participants. Eyewitnesses said the gathering had begun peacefully before security personnel intervened.

Among those who condemned the development is Edward Olatunji Meseko, an aspirant for the Yagba Federal Constituency, who described the incident as disturbing and a threat to democratic engagement in the constituency. In a statement issued Thursday, Meseko criticised what he described as the use of force against citizens exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and expression, urging security agencies to act with professionalism and restraint.

“Democracy must be anchored on tolerance, respect for rights, and the rule of law,” he said, while also calling for a thorough investigation into the incident and accountability for any misconduct.

Also condemning the disruption was Folorunsho Olafemi, who described the attack on protesters as a serious challenge to democratic values and constitutional rights, emphasising the protections guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

In addition, Hon. Seun Ibigbemi, another aspirant for Yagba Federal Constituency, issued a statement expressing strong condemnation over the disruption. He described the incident as alarming and a threat to citizens’ democratic rights, particularly highlighting the use of tear gas against law-abiding participants. Ibigbemi urged security agencies to act professionally and prioritise the safety of all citizens, while calling on political actors to uphold peace, fairness, and unity. “Peaceful engagement is the foundation for sustainable political development. Together, we can build a stronger Yagba Federal Constituency,” he added.

Another aspirant for the federal constituency seat, Babagbemi Joseph Adejola, alleged that he and several supporters experienced the effects of tear gas during the rally. Adejola claimed he and a retired naval officer, Commodore Folusho Daniel, were briefly apprehended by security operatives and escorted to the Kabba Police Station before later being released. He described the security response as excessive and accused unnamed political actors of attempting to suppress supporters of the Mopamuro L’okan agenda.

The aspirant maintained that the rally was intended as a peaceful gathering in support of the re-election bids of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ahmed Usman Ododo, while also advocating that Mopamuro produce the next representative for the federal constituency based on an existing rotation arrangement.

However, the leadership of Mopamuro Local Government Area provided a different account of events. The Local Government Chairman, Ademola Bello, said the organisers of the rally did not properly notify security authorities before staging the protest. According to a statement from his office, the documents reportedly submitted to the police were signed under the name “Jagaban of Mopamuro,” which authorities said could not be linked to any identifiable individual.

The chairman added that the Divisional Police Officer had earlier advised organisers to rewrite and properly submit the request for approval, pending clearance from the state Commissioner of Police, before embarking on any street protest. He stressed that the local administration would not compromise the safety of lives and property for political purposes and assured residents that steps were being taken to restore calm in the area.

Meanwhile, the Voice of Mopamuro Youths expressed concern over the political fracas, condemning violence and warning against the mobilisation of youths for political confrontation. The group noted that the current political atmosphere in the area is shaped by competing aspirations — some stakeholders advocating for Mopamuro to produce the next member of the House of Representatives after the tenure of Leke Abejide, while others support the lawmaker’s potential third-term bid.

Similarly, student bodies in the area also appealed for calm. Leaders of the Mopa Students Union and Amuro Students Union urged political actors to follow proper security protocols when organising public rallies and encouraged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

In a related development, the Leke Abejide Support Group distanced itself from the disputed rally, describing reports linking it to the event as false and misleading. The group insisted it neither organised nor participated in the gathering.

There were also reports suggesting that during the unrest that followed the dispersal of the crowd, a police vehicle was allegedly damaged, while another was briefly blocked by protesters. The circumstances surrounding these incidents remain unclear.

While tensions remain, community leaders and stakeholders have called for a transparent investigation into the incident to clarify the circumstances surrounding the rally’s disruption and ensure accountability. Observers say the situation highlights the need for restraint among political actors as political activities intensify in Yagba Federal Constituency, urging all sides to prioritise peace and democratic engagement.