Our Reporter, Abuja, Michael Onwuka, Enugu, and Steve Ukandu, Umuahia
Members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other individuals in Enugu under the auspices of Coalition for Peter Obi on Saturday joined their counterparts across the country for the #1MillionManMarch4PeterObi.
The march was in solidarity for the presidential aspiration of the former Anambra State governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ikengaonline reports that members of the coalition who were mostly volunteers converged on Okpara Square, Independence Layout from where they marched to Presidential Road.
The group then connected Bissalla Road and then moved to Abakaliki Road to the PDP State Secretariat where they dropped a memo calling on the leadership of the party to ensure that Obi picked the party’s sole presidential ticket for the 2023 presidential election.
In an interview, one of the group members, Mrs. Ijeamaka Igwe, described the event as a huge success.
Igwe said that their demand was for the candidature of Obi as the PDP flag-bearer in the 2023 general elections.
She described Obi as the only aspirant who could turnaround the declining fortunes of the country and appealed to the PDP delegates not to sell their conscience over pittance.
Also, Mr Celestine Ozor, said that Obi was the most sought-after aspirant by the popular masses and had the capacity to build a better future for the new generation of Nigerians.
Ikengaonline reports that the group carried banners with the inscriptions: ‘PDP Delegates, Please Do the Needful’, ‘Give Us Peter Obi’, among others.
In Umuahia, Abia State, hundreds of youths converged on the city centre, popularly called ‘Isi Gate‘ from where they marched through Umuwaya Road, chanting solidarity songs.
The group then connected Azikiwe Road and ended at the PDP State Secretariat, Finbars Road.
In an interview with Ikengaonline, the Coordinator of one of the support groups called #Bring Back Nija, Mazi Ugwumba Uwabafor, said that their support for Obi was due to his antecedents.
According to Uwabafor, Obi stands out among other contestants jostling for the PDP ticket.
He said that the former Anambra State governor enjoyed massive support among Nigerian youths.
“It is very easy to market the candidacy of Obi. As a trader in Aba, I know what we pass through as a result of the harsh economic policies of the Federal Government.
“Peter Obi is a trader like us and understands the language and pains of traders,” he said.
Uwabafor said that the traders were attracted to Obi due to his better understanding of the right economic policies to roll out with a view to making Nigeria a producing nation.
“If PDP truly wants to return to Aso Rock, the party should give its ticket to Obi. He is the man Nigerian youths can trust and massively support,” Uwabafor said.
In Abuja, the march was reported to have been even more successful.
Youths were seen marching through the city centres and converged at the PDP national secretariat with placards demanding the party to heed the call of Nigerians by giving Obi its presidential ticket.
Reports from Anambra, Cross River, Ogun and Kano states also confirmed an impressive turnout by participants in the march.
Recall that the PDP has scheduled its presidential primaries for May 28 and 29 in Abuja.
Others aspirants jostling for the presidential ticket of the party include former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and his Rivers State counterpart, Mr Nyesom Wike among others.
