Resilient ‘Obidients’ brave police teargas, go on with Obi solidarity march in Ebonyi

Attempt by the police in Ebonyi State to scuttle a solidarity march by the ‘Obidients’, supporters of Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, was resisted by the determined crowd.

The ecstatic crowd, which had gathered at the Pastoral Centre of the Catholic Church, Abakaliki, for the Saturday “fitness march”, according to a participant, was forcefully dispersed by a team of police personnel in combat mood, who shot teargasses into the crowd.

The crowd retreated, some running into the church compound but were not spared by the unyielding security agents, while others scattered around the adjoining Mile 50 Road and Kpirikpiri Road, all facing equal wrath.

“Peter Obi is our President. This rally must hold. See the (police) shooting teargasses directly at us. They are shooting directly into the Church.

“This is despicable. The present government in Ebonyi is full of hypocrisy. Umahi (Governor) said on TV that the rally can hold, we knew he was lying See us now. Obi remains our president come 2023,” Vanguard quoted one of the Obidients as saying.

READ: Afenifere backs Peter Obi for president, says he will not disappoint

The mostly youthful crowd not minding the choking effect of the teargas shot at them, held on tightly to their banners, chanting, “Obi, Obi, Obi, …” within the premises of the Church.

Meanwhile, more and more of the youths were still arriving the Pastoral Centre, the take-off point, and not long after the rally gathered momentum and the crowd marched into the streets with others joining on the way.

Some, in the crowd, and observers who commented on the attitude of the police towards the marchers blamed the Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, for the police high-handedness.

“Since Obidients started One Million March for Peter Obi, no single case of injury or violence has been reported. It tells you about the candidate and his supporters. No crisis at all! Just passion to change Nigeria for good. Tell me why Dave Umahi will allow the police to attack them,” an observer pointed out.

Yet another said, “If any single life is lost in Ebonyi State today, Dave Umahi will be held responsible… He should know power is transient.”