Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has said his advocacy for a better Nigeria is a lifelong journey.
Obi stated this at the gathering, in Abuja, of his supporters, popularly known as Obidients, to reminisce on the 2023 presidential election, one year after.
It is already one year since the February 25, 2023 presidential election, in which the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) declared Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner.
The event, organised by renowned activist and founder of Free Nigeria Movement, Dr Moses Paul, had in attendance FCT Senator, Ireti Kingibe, Prof Pat Utomi, Aisah Yesufu, Kenneth Okonkwo, Halida Dokubo, Gen John Enenche, and host of others at the Merit House, Abuja.
Addressing the participants at the event, Peter Obi said the journey to a better Nigeria has just begun, added that young Nigerians cannot wait to take back their country from those who regard national leadership as a criminal racket.
He added that every patriotic Nigerian must embrace the goal of a new and better Nigeria as an entitlement.
He said, “For me, the journey to a better Nigeria has just begun. It is a lifelong journey. On that journey, despair is not an option. Surrender is not a choice. Failure is not even a remote possibility. The nation has heard us. The youth have carried the mantle of changing their destiny and the direction of our country. They cannot wait to take back their country from those who regard national leadership as a criminal racket.
“We have kindled the fire of patriotism and possibility among our people. That fire will never die or go off until our aim is achieved. Every true Nigerian, every patriotic Nigerian must embrace the goal of a new and better Nigeria as an entitlement.
“We owe it to ourselves and our children to bequeath them a better nation, a place where all citizens will get a fair chance to have a fair shot at available opportunities irrespective of their circumstances of birth, ethnicity, faith, or gender.
“The resources of our land should be used to guarantee all our citizens a chance to taste a good life. The prosperity of our land should not be a monopoly of a few privileged people but the entitlement of all who work hard and aspire honestly.”
The organiser, Dr Paul, said the event was put together to appreciate and honour those who supported Obi before, during, and after the 2023 presidential election.
He said, “We are here, just to give honour to whom honour is due. I must confess that the energy of the Obidients Movement is bigger than any political party.
“It will interest you to know that we have a lot of Obidients in APC, PDP, YPP, AD. So, let’s not curse ourselves. An Obidient is not just objective, but also decisive.
“There is an energy of the Obedient Movement that makes everyone a king. Because you all took the responsibility of the entire nation.
“This is the energy that keeps us burning. What do you say to a person who was burned in Kano on election day? What do you say to someone who was shot in Rivers on election day? How about those who were whipped out of their polling units in Lagos?
“About nine years ago, I and other people were in Rwanda to help them recover after the genocide, I never thought that in my lifetime, people would strap themselves with explosives. In fact, as we sit here today, there are several people kidnapped in the bush.
“It is not about our diversity, it is about how we manage where we live.
“In the course of the 2023 election, we had several near-death experiences countless times. But unfortunately, there are many people who are no longer alive to tell the story.
“That is why we are here today to say, the journey to reclaim our nation is still on. We are resilient. We are Obidients and we won’t give up.”
Other speakers at the event include, Pro Pat Utomi, Kenneth Okonkwo, Aisah Yesufu, and others, who asserted that the fight to take back Nigeria is possible.