Supporters of the Labour Party(LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi on Friday caused traffic gridlock on the streets of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom during a ‘two million march’.
The ‘Obidient’, as they are called, marched from the Water Fountain along Nwaniba road towards the city centre referred to as the Plaza up to Ikot Ekpene road and other major roads in Uyo.
For over two hours, there was disruption of human and vehicular traffic as security personnel were on ground to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.
Former chairman, Agulu Peoples Union, Uyo, Jude Anyanwor, said the crowd is not a rented one 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 Peter Obi in 2023.
His words: ”The time has come when everybody should take his/ her destiny in his hands. We want change in government and it is only Peter Obi that can bring about the positive change.
“The people who came out for the match, came out of their volition because they are tired of what is happening in Nigeria and want ‘change’ and better Nigeria which can only come if Peter Obi wins.”
Campaign director, Peter Obi Integrity Network for Transformation, POINT, Engr Okon expressed confidence that the Candidate would emerge victorious in the general election considering the massive and divine support he is getting.
“Today is the independence day of Nigeria, and I can say that today is the day Nigeria is completely free and independent.
” As you can see, the revolution is going on and nothing can stop it. Look at the type of people that are coming out to express their love and passion for our principal. Everything about today is just dedicated for Peter Obi.
‘We see a divine hand in it, this movement is not ordinary, it started like a joke and it’s growing like a wild fire we are talking of 2m man match and you can see the crowd and these two million people cannot be wrong.
On his part, Ichie Martins Edimobi, one of the supporters in the movement, said the march was not only for youths but everyone who has been affected in one way or the other by bad governance in Nigeria.
Edimobi, who is an Igbo chieftain, explained that he decided to march in solidarity with the youths despite his age and status because the current administration has failed.
”Youths, this movement is for you and don’t allow anything distract you from achieving this divine course.
“Obi is not going to give anybody any money to vote for him but he is offering himself and all we can do is to queue behind him. Campaigns have started and money bags will come do not allow their handouts wreck your future,” Ichie Edimobi advised.
On her part, Helen Tom, a physically challenged, said what motivated her to join the rally was her desire to ensure that change is effected
‘I am from Ikot Ekpene local government, what motivated me here is ‘change’. I want a person that knows that people are hungry .
“I won’t allow my physical condition to deter me from supporting someone whom I know has the capacity to change Nigeria from the present state. We need a real change not the change that put us in suffering right from 2015,” she added.
The President of Igbo community and Non Indigenes in Akwa Ibom, Dr Sunday Orie, described the crowd as divine urging everyone to show same solidarity at the election day by voting Peter Obi.
” If it’s a rented crowd, how much do you think we can spend on one person? I see the hands of God in it. This is not Facebook or social media as they say. Nigeria will be good again when Peter Obi becomes the President. The thing there is that it is the people out of freewill joined the movement,” the President added.