Supporters of Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party made nonsense of the Nigeria’s 62nd Independence celebrations in most states as they marched along streets, causing gridlock.
From Akwa Ibom State, there was intense gridlock on Nwaniba Road, from Water Fountain, Plaza, Ikot Ekpene Road, and other major roads in Uyo, the state capital, as the “Obidient Movement,” embarked on a two-million peaceful solidarity rally.
More than 10 different support groups for Peter Obi’s presidential ambition had on Saturday, October 1, 2022, gathered around the water fountain, Nwaniba, which was the take-off point as early as 8 am before moving to Plaza, the centre of Uyo, to Ikot Ekpene Road, and other major roads in the city.
The gridlock lasted more than two hours in every location the crowd, which cut across all classes and ages moved to, even though security personnel who showed solidarity were also on the ground to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.
Speaking with our correspondent, the former chairman, Agulu Peoples Union, Uyo, Mr. Jude Anyanwor said the crowd is not a rented one but rather people who are tired and dissatisfied with ‘bad leadership’ in the country.
Anyanwor, who is also a stakeholder in the “Obidient Movement Group,’ described the suffering in the country as unprecedented, urging the people to ensure that Nigeria regains its lost glory by voting for Peter Obi in 2023.
The President of the Igbo community and non-indigenes in Akwa Ibom, Dr Sunday Orie described the crowd as divine urging everyone to show the same solidarity on elections day by voting Peter Obi.
From Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, Obi’s supporters staged a rally in support of their presidential candidate.
The walk which is tagged Naija Freedom Festival commenced from the popular artillery flyover and climaxed at the Yakubu Gowon stadium where a concert is being held.
Several support groups of the Labour party Presidential candidate took part in the event.
It was a surreal experience for Bi’s supporters as physically challenged, market women and people from all walks of life thronged the busy roads of the Bauchi metropolis to show their support for their preferred candidate.
The supporters who trekked a 10km distance to the converging point at Rafin Zurfi on Saturday were screaming the slogan ‘we are not only on social media, we are real’.
Speaking shortly after the rally, the Chairman of the Labour Party in the state, Hussein Saraki said he was shocked to see the turnout of the supporters.
“Peter Obi will take us from consumption to production because we are tired of misrule. Just look at the crowd, I am surprised myself by what is happening in Bauchi. The day Peter will come it will be great. This movement has just started. We will take our country by the grace of God,” he said.
In Lagos, the supporters converged on strategic locations across Lagos state in a 4-million-man solidarity rally.
The rally which was held simultaneously in Lekki, Surulere, Ikeja and Festac, on the country’s Independence Day, according to conveners, was to garner support for the presidential ambition of the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and his running mate, Yusuff Baba-Ahmed.
In Ikeja, Lagos, hundreds of supporters of the Obidients Movement, defied the early downpour to converge at the Archbishop vining memorial church for the procession.
They chanted the national anthem and waved the flags and carried banners, posters and other paraphernalia with various inscriptions.
Some of the supporters who spoke with Sunday Tribune expressed confidence in the emergence of the Labour Party candidate as the next president of the country.
A member of the movement, Augustine Andrew, described Peter Obi as the messiah Nigerians have been waiting for, adding, “Peter Obi is the messiah Nigerians have been waiting for. Nigeria will be great again and this, we will make happen in the 2023 election. The Obidient Movement is a tsunami cutting across every region of the country. We are taking back our country.”
A Federal High Court ruling in Lagos, on Wednesday, had ruled against any form of convergence at the Lekki Tollgate save for passing through on their way to Falomo.
Yet, supporters of Labour Party Presidential candidate, on Saturday, embarked on a one-million-man march that disrupted the 62nd Independence Day celebration in Asaba, the state capital.
The unprecedented and intimidating crowd that marched from the Inter-bus roundabout along Nnbisi Road, kept increasing as they shut down the city for over seven hours.
Our correspondent observed the passion-driven youths came out from different communities of Delta North Local Government Area around 8 am to embark on the one-million-man march in Asaba.
One of the Obi’s supporters during the march, Mr Donatus Ebere told Sunday PUNCH that what the group witnessed was more than a one-million-march.
Ebere said, “We are having one-million-march in solidarity with Peter Obi but what we saw today is no longer one million. You see that the crowd here is about two million.
“Before we choose between two evils: now, we have Peter Obi over the two evils. So, in 2023, the youths will massively vote for Obi.”
He said that the one-million-march would be translated into one million PVCs in Asaba, urging supporters to ensure they get their PVCs so that the one-million-march will not be in vain.
