The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, continued his nationwide campaign in Ogun state on Saturday, declaring that it’s the turn of Nigerians to take back their country and reset it for development.
Obi arrived at the ancient town of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, with his team to a warm embrace of enthusiastic Obidient supporters who by their organic behavior are determined to join in the great struggle for a new Nigeria.
Like he had done in most states he visited, Obi and his team comprising his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, and their wives, met with critical stakeholders including traditional rulers, women, and youths groups in courtesy calls and town hall meetings.
At the Palace of the paramount Yoruba king, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Obi explained to the king the existential nature of the forthcoming election and why he and his running mate are in the race to rescue and rebuild a nation brought down by successive failed political leadership.
The Alake prayed for him and his team and wished them well in their desire, noting that this country deserves good leadership to be able to tackle myriads of challenges.
The high points of the rally were the presence of the 94-year-old leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo with other top Yoruba leaders including Senator Fem Okunronmu who declared unequivocally that the Labour Party flagbearer is the best for the job of President of Nigeria at this time.
The nonagenarian remarked that Obi is not just the best but his election will address injustice and end political dominance in the country.
Speaking at the rally, Adebanjo described the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, as a failure.
The Afenifere leader told Tinubu to withdraw his candidature and join Peter Obi, saying the Northerners he is relying on would disappoint him.
“We are behind Obi. Leaders of the progressive movement are behind Peter Obi.
“Those fraudsters parading themselves as Yoruba do not love the country. Yorubas do not take things that belong to other tribes. A Yoruba has been President before.
“Atiku (Abubakar) is taking you for a fool, a Fulani man is about to leave.
“Please tell Tinubu that Hausas will not vote for him, tell him to come back and support Obi and Datti because they will defeat him and when they defeat him, he won’t be able to come back home,” Adebanjo stated.
Obi assured the mammoth crowd of jubilant supporters that securing the country will top his agenda if he is elected on February 25 because no development can take place without a conducive and peaceful environment.
He explained that the consumption-to-production mantra of his manifesto is intended to engage the youths who are in their most productive age, reduce unemployment, and empower and pull people out of poverty.
The former Anambra state Governor noted the strategic importance of Ogun state as a gateway state to Lagos, the nation’s commercial hub, and said that he and his running mate have the key to unlocking development in the country through the easy way of doing business.
In addition to security, Obi also said that if elected, he and Datti will tackle squarely incessant power problems, invest massively in education and health and unite the country for real regenerative development.