From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Support groups for Peter Obi in Nasarawa State have pledged to support the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi saying they will soon commence a one-million-man march to sensitise residents of the state to vote for him and other candidates of the party in the 2023 general election.
The Chairman of the various support groups in the state, Mr Alexander Emmanuel stated this on Saturday at a town hall meeting with stakeholders and leaders of the various support groups, held in Lafia.
Emmanuel explained that about 35,000 residents of the state have already declared their support for Obi, come 2023.
According to him, the people were tired of the present situation of the country which was characterised by incessant kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, economic hardships among others under the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration both at the national and state levels, hence the decision.
He said: “As we speak today, Nigeria is in a serious dilemma. We are faced with the problem of existential threats. The Nigerian nation has plunged into the multifarious problems of insecurity, unemployment, electricity blackout, comatose economy, civic stress and widespread poverty.
“These problems are not natural; They are man-made. The past and present managers of our common heritage brought the country to her knees, and brought us to the pitiable state we find ourselves today.
“In 2023, Nigeria needs a leader that will turn things around for the better, and I make bold to say that among the presidential candidates of all the political parties, it is only Peter Obi that has what it takes to move the nation forward.
“But Obi cannot do it alone. He needs our collective support to be able to emerge as President in 2023, so I am urging all residents of Nasarawa state to join us in this struggle for a better Nigeria.”
Speaking on behalf of the coordinators of the support groups, Mr Wilson Kingsley said they had perfected plans to embark on a door-to-door sensitisation campaign across the 13 LGAs of the state, as soon as campaigns officially begin.
Kingsley expressed optimism that the Labour Party presidential candidate and other candidates of the party will emerge victorious in the 2023 elections.
He, therefore, appealed to other residents of the state to support Peter Obi’s ambition to enable him emerge winner at the polls.
Earlier in her remark, the National Deputy Chairman of the party, Ladi Iliya urged residents of the state, who were yet to get their Permanent Voter Cards, to register before the closing date on July 31, 2022 to enable them perform their civil duty during the elections.
“The challenges confronting Nigeria are numerous because we do not have good leaders in office. Our universities have been closed for many months now but they are not worried because their children go to other countries to study. It is so sad that we have such leaders occupying political offices.
“But I am happy that the Independent National Electoral Commission has assured us that our votes will count in 2023. So, I am urging all Nigerians who are yet to get their Permanent Voters Cards, to do so immediately, in order for us to vote in credible leaders into office in the coming elections,” she said.