- By Peter Eze
Tens of thousands of supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, took Abia by storm as they defied the rain on Tuesday to give a rousing welcome and support to the presidential candidate of the party, President Muhammadu Buhari. The carnival-like scene was enacted as the party’s presidential campaign train hit Abia , one of the new strongholds of the APC.
Enyimba Stadium Aba venue of the rally, witnessed an unprecedented crowd of party faithful from all walks of life.
Members of the party across the 17 Local Governments , political office holders, candidates in the forthcoming February elections among others stormed the venue of the rally.
Also in attendance were different groups of physically challenged people such as the deaf, blind and others. The party supporters took over the street of the stadium in the rain to dance to music from the loud speakers. The old, young and the disabled were not left out in the dancing game. Some waved their brooms shouting ‘Sai Buhari, OUK ‘
This is even as the surging crowd mobbed the former governor of the state Dr Orji Uzor Kalu chanting and singing his praises. The crowd couldn’t withhold their joy on sighting the former governor who they popularly call OUK
The APC gubernatorial candidate for Abia Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah while speaking at the rally expressed appreciation that the state stood still for Buhari. Ogah, a successful business mogul said “We have shown the whole world that Abia is wholly for Buhari/Osinbajo, APC and other candidates of the party.
Kalu who built the Enyimba stadium when he was governor spoke extensively at the rally.
He lamented how the state has not added any development since he left office adding that Buhari is the only person to rescue Nigeria and South East.
The former governor told the surging crowd to a thunderous applause not to be perturbed by the recent conditions in the state especially non payment of salaries and pensions saying the APC has come to put smiles on the face of Abians.
He said the APC-led government has remained faithful in implementing its campaign promise of improving the economy, securing the country, and fighting corruption adding that former president Olusegun Obasanjo whom he referred to as the most corrupt Nigerian president can never be compared to president Buhari.
In continuation, he said “the PDP in Abia State are serious liars and thieves. They pay salaries and pensions on radio. They build roads on radio. They empower the youths on radio. They lack the conscience for leadership and that’s why APC is here for the needed change. They even carried rumour that I was dead. That is to tell you how far they can go with their lies. We are for Buhari and we are moving forward.
Speaking last , president Buhari said his government has done well despite the challenges they faced from taking over from the last administration.
“Like we promised, what will determine a good future for the country are security, strong economy and to stop corruption.
We have done many projects in the south east and we will do more.
Buhari endorsed the APC candidate for the governorship election, Dr Uche Ogah and presented him with a flag. The President was accompanied by the party Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, Governors of Imo, Ministers and former governors.
