Obi-Datti movement: Taraba, Ondo on lockdown as thousands march for Peter Obi
Followers and supporters of the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Ahmed, otherwise known as the Obi-Dients or Obi-Datti movement practically shut the streets and roads in Jalingo, Taraba state on Saturday.
As early as 9am, a throng of supporters bearing banners had massed through major roads of Jalingo and adjoining byways, chanting songs of solidarity.
Some of the supporters said they were doing it to show their disdain for other contestants in the presidential election, insisting that Peter Obi remains the most plausible and best option for the progress of the nation.
They dismissed other contestants as “rogues, sick, too old and senile”, wondering how a sick nation can be rescued by equally sick and tainted persons.
“Some of the messages read: Peter Obi : Strong in Taraba with “targetable ability.”
“Structure Beyond Boundaries : Taking over North East.”
As it was in Taraba, so it was in Akure, Ondo state as supporters of the Obi-Datti ticket in their thousands marched through major roads in solidarity with the Peter Obi candidacy.
Their battle cry is ‘we’re taking over our country in 2023’ and they seemed determined to execute their wish.
“We are a moving train, don’t try to stop us. Police, INEC, behave yourself,” yelled Olumide Akanji as he hoisted the Labour Party flag higher in Akure.
Mr Peter Obi recently visited six states of the U.S., consulting and engaging with the Nigerians in Diaspora in those states.
Obi visited six states namely: New York, California, Texas, Washington DC, North Carolina, and Atlanta, speaking as a guest speaker on “The Role of Nigerian Diaspora in Development and Growth of Nigeria.”
The lecture series focused on good governance and how Nigerians, especially the diaspora Nigerians can be involved in the nation’s electoral process.
According to him, the diaspora Nigerians should work towards contributing to the vision where the country will move from consumption-based to a production-based economy.
At New York, while addressing the Columbia’s Africa Business Club, Black Law Students Association, and Nigerians in Diaspora, he frowned at the idea of a nation borrowing for consumption.
He said there was nothing wrong about borrowing but that borrowing for consumption would not add to growth as against borrowing for production which he said would stimulate economic growth.
“We should borrow for production. America and China borrow. All the G-7 countries borrow so there is nothing wrong in debt but we should use debt to keep our economy growing,’’ he said.