IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Supporters of the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, held a rally in Jos, Ebonyi and Abia on Saturday.
The highly anticipated rally witnessed a massive turn out of his supporters in Plateau, the capital of Jos on Saturday, 17 September, 2022.
Supporters of the Labour Party hopeful gathered at the secretariat junction around 9:00 a.m. with inscriptions that showed their support for Mr Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti.
Rose Adah, a supporter who was at the rally told Peoples Gazette that she was excited at the huge turnout of Nigerians of different demography who joined the movement.
“The crowd I saw there before the actual time of the rally was overwhelming. Everywhere at the famous secretariat roundabout in Jos was filled up, people kept chanting things like “ObiDatti for life, OBIdient, Jos-tified and fully obedient, za mu basu Kunya” and so on,” she said.
According to her, even vehicles in transit with their passengers showed support for the movement.
“Even private cars on transit showed us their PVCs to show their solid support and immense contribution to the movement. The walk lasted from Secretariat down to Bukuru in Jos South,” she added.
Despite being teargassed by the Nigeria Police in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State capital, Peter Obi’s supporter held their rally on Saturday.
Armed policemen had at the early hours of Saturday stationed themselves at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakiliki to prevent the ‘OBI-dient supporters’ from gaining access to the venue of the rally.
It was gathered that the coordinators of the ‘OBI-dient’s’ movement had earlier approached the state government to use the stadium but were asked to pay the sum of four million naira which caused a change of venue to the Pastoral Centre, Mile 50 for the rally.
At Mile 50, the supporters were seen in droves at 8:am. However, it was claimed that the Nigeria Police Force threw teargas canisters at the LP supporters which forced them to run for safety. Later, they gathered at Nkwegu Ogbala where they took off for the rally.
It was gathered that journalists were not also spared as they were in the ‘crossfire’ when the teargas canisters were launched at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, Mile 50.
Speaking to Journalists at the end of the rally, the state coordinator for ‘OBI-dient movement in Ebonyi State, Dr John Agha said that the rally was a call for change cum 2023 elections.
Agha stressed that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has offered to redeem the nation from the course of corruption, insecurities and unemployment.
“That is why we have chosen today to rally in support of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi to change the course of the narrative in Nigeria.
“To better Nigeria, end corruption, give our Nigerian youth employment and that is why we are calling on the youths and Nigerians to join this cause.
“Although there was an attempt to disrupt this rally but we were determined and that is the good result you are seeing, the rally was successful,” he explained.
Also, the leader of the Obi support group, Mr Obinna Ukor said that the purpose of the rally was to reawake the consciousness of Nigerians to join and vote for the former governor of Anambra state as the next president.
Also in Abia State, Obi’s supporters gathered at the state tower section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway from where they marched to the Michael Okpara Square entrance.
Many of the supporters were captured carrying placards with different inscriptions.
Some of the inscriptions include, “We are The Structure”, and “Peter Obi for 2023 presidency.”
