Making Nigeria Great Is In Your Hands, Utomi Tells Nigerians
*2023: Reject Dirty Money, Take Back Nigeria, Obi Group Charges Voters
By Chuks Collins, Asaba
NIGERIANS have been charged to take the task of rebuilding Nigeria as a personal struggle, rather than see it as Peter Obi’s struggle.
Professor Pat Utomi, who gave the charge, yesterday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, while addressing the Southeast/South-South conference of Peter Obi Support Network (POSN), said Obi’s presidential aspiration has been enjoying a lot of support from people who believe in the struggle for a better Nigeria.
Utomi, who was represented by the state Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Chief Anthony Ezeagwu, noted that by supporting Obi’s presidential ambition, Nigerians are working for themselves, adding: “We are actually not working for Peter Obi; we are working for ourselves and our unborn children.”
He said support for Obi has become a movement, which cannot do without the Labour Party, saying: “Obi is the driver of this movement and the rest of us are passengers, while the Labour Party is the vehicle.”
He called on members of the network to sensitise people on the party logo, as that is what will be on the ballot, adding that people are supporting Labour Party because it is the only party that has the interest of the people.
On his part, Capt Augustine Okon (rtd) raised issues to watch out for before, during and immediately after casting of votes to ensure that no one manipulates any part of the voting and collating process.
“Endeavour to register in Labour Party the same way we did PVC. Labour Party is the container and the labour movement is the precious liquid content. Establish LP in all wards, mobilise workers, farmers, self-employed, artisans, comedians, teachers, unions, churches, actors, etc.
We no de give; we no de take poverty.
“The other parties boast about having structures and LP not having structures. They are not kidding; they are talking about the structures of corruption, which is vote-buying and voter intimidation. They are serious about it and they intend to deploy these forces in the coming election. We must prepare and have countermeasures against them.
“Many members of our movement belong to other political parties too. We are now at crossroads and the time to make up our minds is now. The concept of voting our conscience and at the same time reaping the fruits of corruption that is vote-buying must be resisted. The temptation is great, the best thing is don’t even go there because they have wicked plans.
“The fight is on two fronts- the mental pangs of hunger and the physical inducement of cash. You are the target. The plan is to provide you with some mind-boggling amount to voters declare sick and be absent on election day and someone who can be manipulated will take your place.
“We must pull down all structures of corruption. Vote-buying is the current subject. Provoke discussions and offer solutions on the poverty trap in our locality.
“Who are our candidates for the forthcoming elections for governorship, national and state assemblies elections? As we promote Obi, we should also promote other candidates. If we have doubt of any candidate, we should not present him at all.”
In her remarks, the Global Coordinator of Peter Obi Support Network, Augusta Nneka, noted with happiness that there were over 65,000 coordinators nationwide working towards Obi’s emergence as the next president.
She added that it was the first time Nigerians would rally around a candidate the way they are rallying around Obi, because they are desirous of a better society; hence ready to make sacrifices with their time and resources.
Chairman, organising committee of the conference, Mazi Ikechukwu Orji, called on members of the network to remain steadfast and continue to reach out to others on the new Nigeria project.
Participants at the conference, mainly coordinators, were drawn from the Southeast and South-South regions.
At the end of the conference, it was resolved that more needs to be done to realise the project, harping on continuous mobilisation and enlightenment of the masses and voters.
