By Adeleye Kunle
Traders, youth sympathizers, and supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, shut down commercial activities in Nasarawa State yesterday as the party organized a one-million-man march in Lafia to show their support for its candidate.
The party’s state chairman, Alexander Emmanuel, stated that the one-million-man march was intended to educate and motivate the people of the state about the importance of electing credible leaders in 2023, as well as send a message to other political parties that the Labour Party lacks structure.
He expressed confidence that the party would win the presidential election in 2023 as well as all elective positions in Nasarawa State, adding that residents were tired of bad governance and were ready to vote for the party’s candidates in the upcoming elections.
“I accepted the request of the support groups, business class, youth, and members from other parties to embark on this sensitization rally because I want the people to understand the importance of electing credible leaders into office in 2023, and it is also to prove a point to other political parties who always say that our supporters are only on social media,” he said.
A businessman in Lafia, Kenneth Otublu, commented on the rally, which drew participants from over eight local government areas of the state, saying traders in the state closed shops and forfeited all profits to show their concern for Obi.
According to Otublu, the sufferings and hardships inflicted on Nigerians, as well as the increasing cases of insecurity, have prompted a drastic change.
“This is why we have made the sacrifice of coming out today to show our support and solidarity for the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.” Nigerians must vote in 2023 to allow our children to return to school, to reduce the high cost of food items, and to address other issues that will help Nigerians break free from the grip of the APC.”
Wilson Kingsley, Secretary of the Coalition of Peter Obi Candidacy Movement, said residents of the state were tired of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government’s misrule at the federal and state levels, which is why they came out in large numbers to support the former Anambra State governor.
Women for Peter Obi, Peter Obi Support Network, Like Minds for Peter Obi, TakeBackNaija, Nigeria Needs Peter Obi, Peter Obi Movement for President, Associates of Peter Obi, and others have all pledged their support for Peter Obi, according to Wilson.
“These one million supporters are members of the state’s registered 56 groups, which are spread across the state’s 13 LGAs.” We are not currently campaigning because the Independent National Electoral Commission has not given us permission. Today, we are marching to show our support for Mr. Peter Obi.
“We back him because we believe he has the capacity and ability to lead Nigeria to greater heights.” We are tired of politicians deceiving us every election season by promising good governance but never delivering on their promises.
“The current administration has completely failed the citizens.” They promised to protect and stabilize our economy, but everyone can see what Nigeria has become. Everything in the market has increased in price, but workers’ wages have not.
“Our children have been at home for nearly six months due to university strikes, but our leaders are unconcerned because their children do not attend Nigerian schools.” We are sick and tired of bad governance, so we are ready to use our permanent voter cards to effect positive change in the country in 2023.”
