2023 PRESIDENTIAL RACE: Obi’s Kinsmen, Supporters Shutdown Agulu, Rally Support for LP Candidate

Praise Chinecherem

Indigenes of Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State and OBUdients on Saturday, held a one million march in support of Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

The mega rally, organized in collaboration with Peter Obi Movement for New Nigeria (POMONN), attracted sons and daughters of the community who marched streets of the town and culminated at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu campus where Obi’s campaign banner was unveiled.

The protesters, carrying banners with pro-Obi messages, dismissed as false rumours that majority of members of the community were not in support of Obi’s presidential bid.

Addressing townsmen and teeming supporters at the community’s townhall, President General, Oliver Afamefuna described Obi as a proud son of Agulu with integrity and capacity to turn around the nation’s ugly trend, insisting that the entire community was in total support for him.

He said, “Nigeria as a nation has been saddened by the dangerous direction and thrown into divisions and crisis in recent times due to bad leadership. 

“We cannot afford to give up a nation despite the immense disappointments we have faced. We must no longer leave our nation solely in the hands of our political job men who have shown freighting incapacity to move Nigeria forward and driving us to precipice.

“When he was the governor of Anambra state, he did well to transform the state. We trust him so much that we believe that every segment of Nigeria will have a new breeze of life when he becomes the president of Nigeria.”

A former lawmaker, Bar. Valentine Anyika said the rally was important to demonstrate to the world that his own people were solidly behind him. 

He allayed fears of election not holding following prevailing insecurity, saying Obi’s sudden emergence after quitting the People Democratic party (PDP) restored certain level of peace and calmness across the country.

He said, “I worked with Peter Obi as state legislature and I consider him as one of best prudential managers of both human and material resources. I’m hundred percent in support of his mission.

“We’re here to show solidarity among the OBIdient family. We’re not campaigning yet, but just creating awareness and sensitizing the people that we’re for to our mentor, brother and leader.

“People are now having a feeling of hope and light at the end of the tunnel. They are now feeling that someone who feel what they feel and stay where they stay will soon sit on the pilot seat.”

Convener, POMONN, Amaka Obi described the rally as massive and indication that the LP Presidential candidate was accepted by his people and has what it takes to deliver dividends of leadership to the country.

In their separate speeches, a member of the community, Eric Maduagwu said Obi remained the best among equals while  Comrade Julius, Sunday Okoye Iloegbunam and Andy Orakwelu said the rally was a show of clear solidarity. 

They expressed confidence that Obi will claim grand slide victory and insisted that his social media popularity will be translated in the actual voting.