By ABIRHIRE THOMAS
Civil Society Actors under the aegis of National Civil Society Coalition (NACISOC) and the Delta State Civil Society Volunteers (DSCSV) has held a massive solidarity roadwalk along the East West Road declaring support for the People Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Ticket of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and the People Democratic Party (PDP) Gubernatorial Ticket of Rt. Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori and Sir Monday Onyeme.
The Roadwalk which occasioned gridlock on the Ekiugbo Community axis of the East West road had several Civil Society leaders participating, including the pioneering Coordinator of the Delta Society Community, Deacon Okezi Odugala, the Coordinator of the Delta Civil Society Volunteers, Activist Mrs Oyovwe Ejiroghene, the Secretary of the Delta State Civil Society Community, Activist Ambrose Egbe.
Speaking to the Roadwalkers, Deacon Okezi Odugala stated that the Change the All Progressive Congress (APC) promised Nigerians has become chains of captivity and slavery, the Civil Society Leader made it known that the Buhari’s Government has foisted untold hardship on the Citizens of Nigeria and has plunged Nigeria into huge debts and has shrinked the civic space, diminishing citizens power, gagging the media, banning even twitter.
Deacon Okezi Odugala speaking further avowed that President Buhari has in the past seven years committed to making life unbearable for the citizens and that the Civil Society will not keep quiet in the face of so much suffering where fuel and cash scarcity has made life very brutish.
Comrade Mrs Oyovwe Ejoroghene Osivwemu in her presentation to the road walkers declared that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa will protect human rights, the rights of people living with disabilities as well as commit to ending violence against women.
She stated that when the people fear Government it is tyranny but when the Government fear the People there is liberty. Comrade Oyovwe called on the people to rise up and work for a ticket that will fear the people’s power. She made it known that she was confident that Atiku and Okowa will fear the people and lead by the sovereign will of the People, she also stated that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and Sir Monday Onyeme will do same.
The Secretary of the Delta State Civil Society Community who is also the Secretary of the Delta State Civil Society Volunteers Activist Ambrose Egbe stated that the Civil Society Volunteers having observed the Presidential Candidates believes that Atiku – Okowa ticket was more practical and realistic in moving Nigeria forward, he stated that he believes that under the ticket of Atiku and Okowa, Nigeria will be restructured and the rights of Indeginous people will be protected as well as inter ethnic and religious harmony will be enhanced. Speaking further he stated that fiscal transparency, accountability and good governance will be the signature of the Government.
Activist John Izobo, a former Coordinator of the Delta State Civil Society Volunteers, speaking at the roadwalk lambasted Senator Ovie Omo Agege for sponsoring protest marches against Governor Okowa spreading falsehood at a time the government he serves has made even unborn Nigeria Citizens to be debtors. He called on Deltans and Nigerians to reject a self confessed election rigger like Omo Agege.
The Deputy Leader of the Delta State Civil Society Volunteers, (DSCSV) Activist Oghenekevwe George in his adddres to the walkers made it known that Governor Okowa remains the most Civil Society friendly Governor in Nigeria and as such the Civil Society will stand withhim as he presses to become the Vice President of Nigeria, noting that the Civil Society will be more enhanced under the Presidency of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. He stated that he was confident that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as President will revisit the Lekki tollgate massacre and bring it’s perpetrators to Justice.
Comrade Uyero Erarawewho Jnr. of the Core Delta Youths said that Young People in Activism working for Social Change and for Good Governance has taken decision to support the stable and quality ticket of Atiku and Okowa in pursuit of making life more Abundant to the young people.He opined that the People Democratic Party (PDP) electing a very young person as it’s National Leader has endeared the Party to many Youth Activists and as such they have declared support for the PDP Presidential ticket.
Comrade Michael Ichekor in his address stated that the ruling Party All Progressive Congress (APC) scammed Nigerians by riding on the same propaganda and packaging that Peter Obi is now riding on. He warned Nigerian Citizens not to be deceived by lying wonders. He called on the Civil Society not to sit on the fence but to arise and take their place as change makers.
Ambassador Malcolm Tagbarah of Inspired Vision Initiatives stated that Nigeria Citizens should vote for the Man whom Peter Obi has called a leader and whom Bola Ahmed Tinubu has campaigned for to be President. He said that both Peter Obi and Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done well to have supported Atiku Abubakar in the past and that they are both in agreement that Atiku has the experience to rescue Nigeria he stated that it is only right for the citizens to give Atiku Abubakar the chance to vote again for the candidate both of them have voted for in the past.
Other Speakers at the roadwalk included Comrade Comrade Joseph Osademe, Comrade Duke Onokpasa, Comrade Wealth Oberiko and Comrade Lawrence Okpare.
Activist Rex Anighoro, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Civic Engagement and Civil Society who walked alongside the Civil Society actors thanked them for choosing the People Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential ticket of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the People Democratic Party (PDP) Delta State Gubernatorial ticket of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and Sir Monday Onyeme. He made it known that he would convey the support of the Civil Society to the Government and Candidates through the appropriate channels.
The roadwalk saw participants carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Vote, Don’t Fight!”, “Say No to Vote Buying, Fake News and Election Violence!!”, Let your Vote Count!!!”, “Civil Society stands with Atiku-Okowa to advance Citizens Power and expand the Civic Space”, “PDP Government paid off Nigeria external debts but APC Government has now plunged Nigeria into debts worth over 50 trillion Naira”, among others.
