By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
Thousands of supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thronged the Cenotaph at High Court Road, Asaba, Delta State, South South Nigeria, on Saturday, 22 January 22, 2022, for the party’s mega rally towards the build up of 2023 general elections.
Roads leading to the Cenotaph were blocked, as party faithful parked indiscriminately, leading to a traffic gridlock.
There was tight security at the venue of the rally, dubbed Delta State PDP Mega Rally. At one end, the police anti-bomb vehicles were parked, while patrol teams were stationed in all entrances of Asaba to boost security.
Several large and small banners of PDP aspirants for the various elective positions were placed at strategic locations in and outside the Cenotaph. Party supporters carried posters of aspirants pasted in small slates and paraded the length and breadth of the Cenotaph, singing and dancing.
Posters of Olorogun David Edevbie… aka the TECHNOCRAT/The PERFECTIONIST, the angelic looking University of Ibadan trained Ebu in Oshimili North beautiful goddess… Chief Shimite Bello… aka SABIFICATE, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Dr. Peter Mrakpor, SAN, Chief James Agoye …Road Master, Barr. Bridget Anyafulu …the Human Right crusader commending Gov Okowa, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Kingsley Otuaro … Peace Ambassador, and Kenneth Gbagi, among others were common features at the venue. Their supporters wore T-shirts with the aspirants pictures printed on them.
The environment was rowdy as the crowd was uncontrollable. Hundreds of boys, known with the slogan ‘Ose/Chairman Sir’ capitalised on the rally to get money from politicians as they eulogised them and asked them for money.
R ‘n’ B artiste, Harrison Tare Oriki, popularly known as Harrysong and others took time to entertain the crowd and eulogised Gov. Okowa and the aspirants.
At the event were Gov. Okowa, former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori; Olorogun David Edevbie, House of Representatives minority leader Rt. Hon Ndudi Elumelu, Delta State Chief of Staff, Barr. Festus Ovie Agas and Senator Stella Omu.
Also present were the state Deputy Governor, Dcn Kingsley Otuaro, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Chief Shimite Bello, among others.
The conspicuous absence of a handful of influential members of the party has kept tongues wagging about possible stomach ache in the party, concerning the 2023 elections in the state.
Notable political figure whose absence many did not fail to notice was the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. Uduaghan has very strong family, social and political connections with the state. Moreover, his personality could not be confined being an eminent member of the Party.
