By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Ahead of the governorship and State Assembly elections earlier slated for March 11 but now postponed to March 18, top leadership and chieftains of the Labour Party LP, including Nigerian American Professor, Alex Akpodiete, Prof. Pat Utomi and others on Wednesday, March 8, visited Delta State for a thank you rally and to motivate teeming supporters of the Labour Party for their firm decisions to bring in change to the Nigeria political atmospheres during the February 25, 2023, Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Speaking at the event which held at the John F Kennedy play field Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, State Chairman of the party, Chief Tony Ezeagwu stated that the rally was to say a thank you to all Labour Party supporters and to as well sensitize them on the need to vote for the governorship candidate of the party, Deacon Ken Pela and his Deputy, Prof. Julie Umukoro and all House of Assembly candidates.
He however urged Labour Party faithful to ignore the rumuor of propaganda making the rounds that money have been given to Obidient supporters to vote for the ruling parties in the state.
“There is a false rumuor flying everywhere to deceive gullible Obi-dients that leadership of the party have been given money so that Labour Party will form an alliance with them. I can tell you that it is a lie and i urged you to discountenance such false rumuor been propagated by desperate and wicked politicians.
“Repeat what you did on February 25th and send all old politicians to retirement. Okowa and his cohorts has been rejected and so, don’t allow them deceive you”.
“I have always been in the opposition party since 1999, and I didn’t succumb to any of their games, is it now that I am seeing victory everywhere that I will now aligned with people who have ruined our lives over the years’ he asked”.
On his part, the governorship candidate who was accompanied by his wife, his Deputy, Prof. Alex Akpodiete, Prof. Pat Utomi and other party chieftains thanked all party members and chieftains present and assuring that the party will come victorious in the Presidential election. Noting that every political ambition is made possible by God but not by strength.
“They said we have no structure, but we were able to thrash the ruling party after 24 years of hostages and now they are begging us”.
While assuring LP supporters of victory, Deacon Pela disclosed that the Presidential candidate of the party, Mr. Peter Obi is committed to reclaiming their stolen mandate and should not be deterred.
“When elected, I promise you, I and my deputy will work to transform the state and create wealth for the state.”
On his part, Prof. Pat Utomi, professor of political economy, who is also the chairman of the coalition, blamed politicians for the nation’s woes, noting that the country has failed to build real political parties. He said Deltans are tired of the terrible leadership of the PDP, hence they are ready to send all 1999 politicians to retirement.
He assured that Deacon Ken Pela and his deputy will will focus on improving the lives of ordinary Deltans rather than serving the selfish interest of a few powerful elites. He called on all to come out enmass and repeat what they did in February 25th during the governorship and state assembly elections.
On why Mr. Peter Obi is not present, Prof. Utomi disclosed that the he would have flown in as he promised but the Presidential election case was held today in the court and his presence was needed urgently, hence he has asked him to represent him, but sent a word of appreciation to them and asked them to stand firm in ensuring they change the system with their votes.
Others present at the event includes Federal House of Representative Elect, Benedict Etanabene, House of Assembly candidate for Okpe, Ndokwa and Uvwie constituency and other notable chieftains for Labour Party across the state.