A coalition of support groups in Anambra State, on Saturday, held a solidarity march in support of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, ahead of the 2023 general election.
Anambra State rally
The supporters marched from Alex Ekwueme Square, near the State House of Assembly in Awka, along Aroma to Eke-Awka road to the U-turn linking Kwata along Enugu/Awka Expressway and back to the Alex Ekwueme Square, where the supporters were addressed.
The rally tagged “two-million man march”, commenced at exactly 10.00 am on Saturday.
The solidarity march was organised by a group, under the aegis of Coalition for Peter Obi, in conjunction with about 60 other support groups and they were carrying several inscriptions indicating their support for Obi.
Some of the inscriptions read: “Obi-Datti for Presidency 2023”; “Obi is the one to unify Nigeria”; “Peter Obi will create jobs and wealth for Nigerians” and “There is no polling unit on social media, Get Involved.”
Others read: “Nigerians wake up and vote wisely”; “It is Peter Obi or Nothing”; “Go collect your PVC and Vote Obi-Datti”; “Peter Obi will rescue Nigeria”, among others.
The state Lead Coordinator, CPO, Mr. Chidi Nzekwe, while addressing the supporters, said the rally was to sensitise residents on the need to be involved in the electoral process to achieve the desired change in the country.
Nzekwe said: “We are using this medium to sensitise the people on the need to get their Permanent Voter Cards and be well mobilised concerning voting ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“The crowd, especially the youths, that came out for this solidarity march today is an indication that we need a disruptive system to drive good governance, and we believe Peter Obi is the right candidate.
“He is capable and competent to lead Nigeria to the Promised Land and we urge the electorate to come out en masse and vote wisely for a better Nigeria.
“We also urge the electoral umpire to ensure they conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible general elections in 2023,” he said.
The Southeast Director on Mobilisation, CPO, Mr. Chekwube Mmaduabuchi, said the rally was to create awareness of Obi ahead of 2023 and to sensitise people on the party’s logo.
The supporters were drawn from various professional bodies.
Operatives of various security agencies were on the ground providing security and ensuring a peaceful rally.
“He is capable and competent to lead Nigeria to the Promised Land and we urge the electorate to come out en masse and vote wisely for a better Nigeria.
Plateau State rally
In Jos, capital of Plateau State, a similar rally was held by the ‘Obidients’, which attracted unprecedented crowd of the Labour Party supporters.
The organisers decried the precarious situation the country has found itself in, which they believe is a consequence of bad leadership.
Convener of the group, Prophet Isa El-Buba, made the disclosure while addressing thousands of Peter Obi supporters before the commencement of the Plateau Mega Rally/Fitness Walk for Good Governance in Nigeria, held at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.
El-Buba said: “I want to appeal to Nigerians not to vote for corrupt politicians who have looted our treasury.
“Vote for people who have the interest of the common man at heart.
“That is why we have decided to throw our weight behind Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate because we have seen what he has done as Governor of Anambra State and his antecedents show he is someone that can bring us out of the woods.
“We came here to pray for a better Nigeria, and also sensitise the citizenry about the upcoming elections,” he maintained.
Also speaking, Alexander Janpak Converner/Coordinator Plateau State Support Group, with effective presence in all 17 LGAs and Wards in the state, said, “Peter Obi’s movement is a tornado occasioned by the over two decades of uninterrupted democracy that has birthed a generation of democratically conscious youths preceding a generation suppressed and subdued by prolonging military rule, raised to ‘obey before complain.’”
According to him, “The only hope for liberation and freedom which lies in education is manifesting gradually, and rearing its head in the Peter – Datti movement.
“A deviation from the norm of political parties manipulation through delegates, offering a candidate produced by a credibly fair and transparent primary election under the auspices of Labour Party.
“Peter Obi’s – Ahmed Datti candidature offers a unique opportunity for Nigerians to produce the leadership they desire different from the old political style of highest bidder takes all – Nigeria is not for sale.
“Nelson Mandela said, and I quote: “The world will not respect Africans until Nigeria earns that respect. The black people of the world need Nigeria to be great as a source of pride and inspiration”.
“This movement is an all-inclusive struggle for all the black people of the world generally, and Nigerians in particular.
“The superordinate goal is for power to return to the people from the elites. Peter Obi and Ahmed Datti will be rewarded with another tenure when they perform, or shown the way out should they do the contrary,” he stressed.
The event featured a short prayer session before proceeding on a match to the State Secretariat Junction in Jos, while thousands gathered; songs, banners, and placards were carried in support of the candidature of Peter Obi (Plateau is Obedient), among others.
The procession led to serious traffic gridlock in the major streets of Jos metropolis.
Bayelsa State rally
Similarly in Bayelsa State, a coalition of supporters of Peter Obi grounded Yenagoa on Saturday, as they embarked on one million-man march in the capital Yenagoa.
The crowd, which marched from Tombia Junction en route the Mbiama Yenagoa road and terminated at the Ox-bow lake, was with placards bearing various inscriptions.
At 8am, vehicular movement from the entrance of the State was already at a halt as youths, women, and men gathered to take instructions before embarking on the rally.
The coordinator of Concern Medical Practitioners, Dr Frank Ogunuawe, said they are all out in support of Peter Obi, whom they described as the most credible and prepared man for the job, adding that the medical profession in Nigeria is gradually collapsing.
He emphasized that the number of professionals in the sector leaving the country to work outside the shores of the country is quite threatening, while the few ones in the country are planning to go on strike due to some unresolved issues between them and the government.
He added: “Just imagine what will happen to most people who are sick due to sufferings inflicted on them by the hardship experience in the country; we should also remember that students of higher institutions have been on strike for the past seven months, so it’s time to stop the nonsense in the country by voting for a sincere person.”
The coordinator of Bayelsa West LP, Hon. Chris Ogosi, stated that the structure of the party is the hungry, crying, suffering masses of the country and with the masses, the dream of a better Nigeria is achievable.
“We all know that the greatness of a man is measured by the wisdom he has and not amount of money and Obi is the man that we know that build a better Nigeria amongst all that has indicated interest.”
The coalition Vice Chairman of all the groups, Mr. Dr. Charles Oyibo, noted that what is happening on the streets of Yenagoa today is to organise and sensitizing the people on the need to take back Nigeria.
“We are with the people and they are all out because of the fact that they are sick of what the current system is giving to the people; look at the poverty level, insensitivity of government, deprivation, and the fact that our children are at home while theirs are abroad. This is not about a political party but a movement to take back the country and give to the rightful owners who are the masses. This is a clear confirmation that the people are so tired, that is why we are seeing this crowd today who are not even paid. Everybody came on account of their own conviction that it is time to do the needful.”
The State chairman, Eniye Zidougha, who addressed the crowd said: “We have seen other states carry out their rally and what we are doing today isn’t different,” adding that the cry of the people over insecurity, poverty, lack of power, ASUU strike and other failures by the government is the reason for the march.
He said the Obi movement became important to salvage the already mortgaged future of the citizens, adding that with their voter cards the people will vote their conscience at the forthcoming elections.
Abia State rally
In Abia State, the Obidients also marched in their thousands in support of the Peter Obi- Datti presidency.
The rally tagged ”#I million Man-March For Peter Obi and Datti-Ahmed”, began from the Abia Tower junction of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway through the Government House/Bank Road to Aba Road before terminating at ShopRite junction after the popular Isi-Gate axis of Umuwaya Road.
There was traffic snarl as the mammoth crowd of supporters glided through the major streets chanting solidarity songs and dancing to the admiration of residents.
Other road users had hectic day trying to meander through adjourning roads to avoid being held up in the traffic as the joyous and peaceful procession which started around 8:00am lasted till around after noon.
Thousands of enthusiastic fans mostly youths from various political backgrounds vowed to mobilise Abia voters in support of Obi at the 2023 presidential poll.
According to some of them, Obi will get more than 90% of Abia votes in the forthcoming polls.
Mr. Bassey Prince, who hails from Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State but resides in Umuahia, said he was drumming support for Obi because of his credibility, vision and antecedents.
“I believe in his agenda to change Nigeria from consumption to production country,” he said.
Bassey who is the Umuahia North Coordinator of Peter Obi Support Network said that Nigerian youths have seen Obi as a beacon of hope and solution to a myriad of woes plaguing the country.
Similarly, Emmanuel Ugwumsinachi said he was part of the rally because he wanted Obi to take over the country and transform it as he did while holding sway as Governor of Anambra State.
Another supporter of the Obi/Datti movement, Mrs. Ifunanya Iheazor, said Nigeria would witness real change under Obi’s presidency.
“Everything is not about money. We are tired of money bags in politics. We need a real change, and we see in Obi the change we desire”.
Speaking also, the Abia State Coordinator of Peter Obi Support Network, Prince Solomon expressed excitement over the massive turnout for the rally, saying it “has sent panic waves down the spine of those with structure”.
He said that the swelling support for Obi is due to his exemplary leadership qualities and had nothing to do with his tribe or party.
Solomon, who said that the 2023 poll would be “individual and not party -based”, challenged other candidates thinking they will hide under Obi’s goodwill to think twice.
“I am excited that Abia people have come out en masse to show support for a man who has shown integrity in holding public office.
“There were other Nigerians who held this same office that Peter Obi held but if you mention their names today people will vomit.
“Those who think they can hide under Obi’s goodwill should think twice. They should emulate him if they want Nigerians to look their way. In the coming election people will vote for Obi and other credible candidates like him in other parties especially those who have impacted on youths”.
Adding her voice, the Abia State Lead Coordinator of all Peter Obi pro-groups, Madam Maltida, said the “Obi-Datti movement is unstoppable and will consume all the undemocratic forces holding the country down.”
She said Nigerian youths have risen to take back their country from political principalities holding the country down.
According to her, Nigeria will witness unprecedented rallies for any presidential candidate when the ban on campaign would be lifted.
