A large number of the supporters of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, despite being teargassed by the Nigeria Police, held their rally in Abakiliki, the state capital.
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.
Daily Trust learnt 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.
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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.
Ukor maintained that Obi has all it takes to deliver the challenges facing the nation.
Daily Trust observed that political office holders of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC); the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA); also joined the rally.
However, the rally which lasted for three hours caused both human and vehicular traffic along the popular Enugu-Abakaliki highway and its environs.
