The presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi and his running mate, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso will on Saturday, October 24, join the members of their party, supporters and admirers to a two million man solidarity March in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The rally put together by the NDC, Obidient Movement, OK movement, Kwakwasiya movement among others is organised to drum massive support for Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential election.
The two million man march which was initially scheduled for October 1, was postponed following what the organisers described as security challenges and logistical issues.
The organisers added that preparations had been completed for the rescheduled event described as the mother of all rallies in the state.
Speaking at a press briefing in Uyo, the State Coordinator of Ok movement, Engineer Elijah Noah, who also chairs the event media committee, called on residents of Akwa Ibom and supporters of Obi across the country to participate fully in the rescheduled exercise.
Related: A’Ibom: Leaders Of Obidients/Kwakwansiya Movement Lament Police Ban Of Planned 2 Million Man March.
Noah said the march was being organised in honour of Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the party’s Akwa Ibom governorship candidate, Hon. Michael Enyong, popularly known as Babantan.
He said the exercise would promote the vision of a Nigeria where citizens could freely elect their leaders and have their votes counted.
“We are marching in solidarity for a new Nigeria, for free and fair elections, to put an end to ballot snatching and election theft, and to bring about due process in our country,” Noah said.
He urged Nigerians not to remain indifferent to the country’s challenges, arguing that citizens had a responsibility to participate in efforts to improve governance.
The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Dr Ben Smith, said the organisers expected participation both on the streets of Uyo and online, although the proposed two-million-man turnout remains their target.
Smith who doubles as South South Zonal Financial secretary of NDC and the State Coordinator of the Obidient Movement said the gathering would begin at the Water Fountain along Nwaniba Road, Uyo, by 9 a.m.on Saturday, before participants move through designated streets in the state capital.
He described the event as a solidarity march rather than a protest, adding that the organisers intended to make it a peaceful gathering featuring music, dancing and other social activities.
Smith also invited opposition parties and Nigerians from different ethnic and professional backgrounds to participate, saying the march was intended to demonstrate support for electoral credibility and a better-governed country.
According to him, arrangements have been made for transportation, refreshments, medical assistance and internal security, while the organisers expect the police and other security agencies to provide protection throughout the exercise.
Hon. Kingsley Okposin, Akwa Ibom State Publicity secretary of NDC (New Media) who is also serving as the Diretor of Media, Obidient Movement appealed to young people to participate, citing access to healthcare, quality education, good roads, affordable housing and improved living conditions among the issues they want the march to highlight.
Israel James, the NDC candidate for Abak State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, said the exercise should be viewed as a platform for citizens to express their aspirations for improved public services rather than solely as support for individual politicians.
Captain Augustine Okon, who described himself as a veteran of the Obidient Movement in the state, said he would participate in the march to encourage younger supporters and promote peaceful engagement.
Other speakers, including Comrade Ubong Kingsley Young, the state coordinator of the Kwankwasiyya Movement who called on residents, including non-indigenes and members of different ethnic communities, to join the exercise.
The organisers said the march which will have the full coverage of security agencies to avoid any skirmishes would also serve as an opportunity to introduce NDC candidates to voters in Akwa Ibom ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They urged participants to conduct themselves peacefully and called on Nigerians to exercise their civic responsibility by participating in the electoral process.
