- Charly Boy, CSOs lead 5 million-man march
Lagos, Nigeria’s former capital city, and Kaunad, the former political capital of Northern Nigeria, were on lock-down Saturday as supporters and well-wishers of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the February 25 general election, Peter Obi, made good their boast of holding a five-million-man march rally under the auspices of the “Obedient Movement.”
In Lagos, they were led by popular social crusader, Mr Charles Oputa, popularly called Charly Boy, and other activists in solidarity for Obi and his running mate, Sen. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all supporters and fans of Obi converged at the National Stadium for the political rally with long convoys and walked through Ikorodu road before terminating the rally at Maryland (Freedom Tunnel).
The massive crowd grounded the free flow of traffic on Ikorodu road as they hoisted various banners and chanted various solidarity songs to seek support for Obi and other Labour Party candidates in the 2023 general elections.
According to reports, the Obi supporters also converged at Ikeja, Lekki and Amuwo- Odofin in large numbers to drum up support for the former Anambra State governor.
Leading the rally charge, Charly Boy Oputa said it was organised to awaken the consciousness of Nigerian youths on the need to be involved in decision-making processes for good governance in the country going forward.
He said; “This rally talks about good governance and active citizenship. Young people are partially to be blamed for the challenges in the country because they have been a little bit docile and felt unconcerned.
“Like I keep saying, we cannot leave politics to the politicians alone, it is not possible. But I am glad that at least in my lifetime, I am seeing young people’s consciousness reawakening.
“For me personally, it is about good governance because whoever wins, if young people are still not committed to holding them (political class) accountable, will go to the old ways. So, I am impressed with the turnout.
“Of course, I am sympathetic toward the Labour Party and Obi, but this march is about good governance and active citizenship. The future belongs to young people and they should take charge.”
On his part, the Lagos State Chairman of Labour Party, Mr Olukayode Salako, who addressed the supporters at Maryland, said the campaign rally had brought a huge joy of fulfillment to his heart and the Labour Party family.
Salako said with the huge turnout of youths for the rally, the party was sure of delivering massive votes to Obi and effectively take over leadership in Lagos state this year.
He urged all the teeming supporters to ensure they collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and continued to mobilise people at the grassroots for the Labour Party.
Meanwhile, the situation was no less different in KADUNA as the “Obi-dient Movement” took to the major roads and streets of Kaduna metropolis in solidarity health walk for him, his running mate and other Candidates of the Labour Party for the 2023 general elections.
The supporters also said they are fully behind the candidate of the party for Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Hon. Ekene Abubukar Adams.
The ‘Obi-Dients’ who came out in their numbers with branded T-Shirts, face caps, mufflers and other publicity materials, chanted various solidarity songs in support of the Obi/Datti movement and Ekene door- 2-door campaign groups.
Some of the supporters, who spoke with journalists covering the Health Walk, lamented the state of the country and said it requires genuine change, adding that they are ready to carry the campaign to every nook and cranny of the state until that expected positive change happens in the forthcoming elections.
