By Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Obidient Movement in Abia State has announced plans to hold a one-million-man march in honour of Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to commemorate his 64th birthday.
The march, scheduled for Saturday, July 19 at 10 a.m., is being organized to show solidarity with the former Anambra State Governor for his consistent advocacy for good governance and his defense of the masses.
In a joint statement signed by Dr. Chibuzor Obiesili, one of the state coordinators, and Mr. Christian Emmanuel, Head of the Media and Publicity Sub-committee, the organizers said the procession would hold simultaneously in Umuahia (the state capital), Aba (the commercial hub), Ohafia, and Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area.
Designated take-off points for the rally include: Okpara Square; Umuahia; Osisioma Flyover, Aba; Practising School, Uzuakoli; Ohafia Central Field by Presbyterian Church, beside Union Bank, Elu Ohafia.
According to the release, the highlight of the nationwide march will be outreach visits to motherless babies’ homes, hospitals, and correctional centres to empathize with the less privileged.
“Supporters and admirers of Mr. Obi—cutting across political, ethnic, and religious divides—have chosen to celebrate a selfless man who has consistently spoken up for the downtrodden,” the statement said.
Born on July 19, 1961, Obi rose to national prominence during the 2023 presidential election, where his performance significantly altered Nigeria’s political landscape. His influence, widely referred to as the “Obi wave,” saw several established political figures unseated while many newcomers gained political relevance.
Peter Obi had his secondary education at Christ the King College, Onitsha, and earned a degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1984. He also attended Harvard Business School, Lagos Business School, and the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, among other institutions.
Although he finished third in the 2023 presidential race according to INEC’s official results, Obi recently joined the “organic coalition movement,” which has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A former bank director and proponent of shifting Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to a productive one, Obi described his decision to join the coalition as “difficult but necessary” in the effort to rescue Nigeria from entrenched political interests.
“Obi believes that to dismantle the structures that keep our people in poverty and insecurity, we must build bridges, not walls—even when those bridges are difficult,” the release stated.
The former governor has also declared his readiness to serve only one term if elected in 2027, with a commitment to lay the foundation for resetting and rebuilding Nigeria. He has reiterated his support for power rotation between the North and South.
The organizers described the march as an “unsolicited gesture” by the people, meant to reassure Obi that the masses, whose cause he continues to champion, stand firmly with him.
“The Obidient Movement and the Nigerian masses have decided to celebrate Mr. Peter Obi because of his track record and persistent advocacy for good governance, probity, and accountability.
“His admirers, drawn from various political, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, have come together to honour a patriot and detribalized Nigerian who believes in putting the country first. He has remained committed to rebuilding Nigeria and making her globally competitive.
“Obi continues to shine as a beacon of hope for the youth and a symbol of the New Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
