As preparations for the 2023 general elections are in top gear, the 19 support groups of the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi in Imo state were on Saturday July 23, harmonized into a Coalition at De Range hotel, Owerri the state capital in an event that was attended by over 5000 members and leaders of the various support groups.
Speaking at the event which is aimed at ensuring administrative convenience, optimal and effective performance, the National Vice Chairman of the party, Chief Innocent Okeke who was in the state to supervise the coalition process told members of the support groups to go to their respective wards and start mobilizing and sensitizing the electorate on the need to vote enmasse for all Labour Party candidates and as well ensure that their votes are protected against all odds.
He posited that the opposition is presently jittery and are banking on rigging the election. “when they talk about structure, they are referring to those who help them to snatch ballot boxes in a bid to manipulate results. But that era is gone because the people are wiser now. I urge you all to go and register as members of Labour Party in your various wards.”
Chief Okeke also stressed the need for them to vote for all candidates of Labour Party because as the President of the country, Peter Obi will not operate in isolation.
“He needs legislators at all levels who share the vision, mission and ideology of Labour Party who will not also frustrate his commitment towards making Nigeria a better country for all.
“Besides, with Peter Obi as president of the country, none of the party’s candidates will derail from the aims and objectives of his administration.
He appreciated the support groups for all they have been doing in Imo state and extended the goodwill of the presidential candidate and national chairman to them. He also assured them that the party is taking note of the contributions of the various support groups and their members and will not disappoint them.
Also speaking at the event, Ikenga John Jude Okere, one of the ardent supporters of Peter Obi who has been sponsoring the mounting of bill boards across the length and breath of Imo state also aligned with what the National Vice Chairman of the party said earlier.
He noted that with Peter Obi at the helm of affairs such people who they may have reservation about their credibility will have no option than to fall in line.
“There is an Igbo proverb that says, good habits are infections. You should therefore vote unconditionally for all candidates of Labour Party. If Peter Obi must succeed, there is need for him to work in synergy with majority of the senators, members of the federal house of representatives and state houses of Assembly. This is the only way we can safely say that the coast is clear for him to deliver the desired but elusive dividends of democracy he has promised.”
In his speech at the occasion, a catholic priest, Rev Fr Maduabuchukwu, who is the South East Coordinator of the coalition, enjoined the support groups to be prepared to function as agents in different polling booths, pointing out that the opposition while referring to structure are unmindful of the fact that Nigerians who earnestly desire change have constituted themselves into structures for the candidates of their choice.
The high point of the event was the inauguration of the Coordinator of the coalition of all the support groups in Imo, Comrade Virginus Onukanti.
