Supporters of Mr Peter Obi Presidential ambition from all walks of life poured out into the streets today to show solidarity for the Labour Party hopeful across the country.
According to Jungle Journalist media team who filed in reports, today’s solidarity walk is unprecedented, and happened in 8 different states simultaneously, across the country. They include Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Plateau, Niger, and Bayelsa, and is adjudged to have attracted at least, 8 million supporters.
Supporters in Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo, the five South East states marched in the various capital cities today.
For Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, the solidarity rally went ahead after the organisers were tear-gassed in their first attempt to embark on the street procession.
Leaders and members of the Labour Party in the state had gathered as early as 9 am along Mile 50 within the metropolis to show support for the former Anambra State governor.
The rally scheduled to commence from the Pastoral Centre along Mile 50 at 9 am in the state capital, could not start as the police, who had stationed at the two entry points, disrupted the organisers with the use of teargas canisters.
Despite having a shaky start, the Peter Obi solidarity train moved from the Pastoral Centre along Mile 50 through Enugu Abakaliki Expressway, to the city centre and back to the same venue where it all began.
Meanwhile, Governor Dave Umahi has denied ordering the disruption of the solidarity rally by Obi’s supporters.
“If it is true that the police dispersed people, the answer will surely rest with the police,” said a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Chooks Oko.
In a related development, supporters of Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, staged a solidarity rally in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, on Saturday.
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.
In Anambra, home state of Mr Peter Obi, a coalition of support groups held a solidarity march on Saturday in Awka to support Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
The groups marched from Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka through Eke-Awka Road to the Enugu-Awka Expressway.
The Coalition for Peter Obi (CPO) organised the solidarity march with about 60 other support groups.
The marchers raised placards, some of which read, “Obi-Datti for Presidency 2023”, “Obi is the one to unify Nigeria”, and “Peter Obi will create jobs and wealth for Nigerians”.
Others read, “There is no polling unit on social media; get involved”, “Nigerians wake up and vote wisely”, “It is Peter Obi or Nothing”, and “Peter Obi will rescue Nigeria”, among others.
Chidi Nzekwe, the Anambra lead coordinator of CPO, 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.
In his remarks, Chekwube Mmaduabuchi, South-East director on mobilisation at the CPO, said the rally was to create awareness about Mr Obi ahead of 2023 and to sensitise people on the Labour Party’s logo.
Operatives of various security agencies followed the marchers, provided security and ensured a peaceful rally.
In Owerri, the Imo State capital, supporters of Mr Peter Obi also caused a traffic gridlock in a rally they said turned into a ‘worldwide crusade’.
The marchers had gone through Imo Government House roundabout, where, according to reports, some government appointees joined the rally.
As at the time of filing this report, they were heading to Okigwe Road in the city.
Enugu State was also not left out in the rallies as #Obidients repeated what they did last Saturday in the Coal City.
A heavy crowd of the supporters also sand their support for Labour Party, Peter Obi and Datti-Ahmed.
In the North Central, Jos, Plateau State capital city saw an unprecedented crowd of #Obidients as they are called marching.
A mammoth crowd, which increased as the team advanced, moved round the major roads in the state as others joined.
A popular preacher in the state, Prophet Isa El-Buba was one the leaders of the #Obidients to show support for the Labour party presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi.
In Suleja, Niger State, the supporters also drew a huge crowd as they rallied across the city chanting their support slogans.
Bayelsans in South-South did not dissapoint, as a huge crowd took to the streets with music, dance and message.
The rally started at Edepie round about according to Jungle Journalist reporter, who filed in a report from Opolo, as they headed for Peace Park, opposite Government House.
Below are extra photos filed in from the different rallies by our correspondents:
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