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| Peter Obi at Obidient Movement Rally |
Peter Obi’s 64th birthday is set to become a landmark date for his supporters in Abia State. The Abia chapter of the Obidient Movement has announced plans to flood four major towns with a one-million-strong march on July 19 at 10 am. Organisers say the event will combine celebration with acts of goodwill .
Dr Chibuzor Obiesili, one of the state coordinators, and Christian Emmanuel, head of the Media & Publicity Sub-committee, issued a release detailing the procession’s route. It will move through Umuahia, Aba, Ohafia and Uzuakoli in Bende. Highlights include visits to motherless babies homes, hospitals and prisons to share gifts and messages of hope .
Obidients say the march honours Obi’s life of service. Born July 19, 1961 in Onitsha, he rose from humble roots to become Governor of Anambra State before contesting the 2023 presidential election on the Labour Party platform . His message of youth empowerment and fiscal prudence sparked what came to be known as the ‘Obi-wave’.
Meeting points are clearly set.
Umuahia: Okpara Square
Aba: Osisioma Flyover
Uzuakoli, Bende: Practising School
Ohafia: Central field by Presbyterian Church, beside Union Bank, Elu Ohafia
Fans and well-wishers from all walks of life will turn out. The release stresses that attendees will cut across political, ethnic and religious lines. “We aim to celebrate a selfless man who has spoken up for the masses,” it reads .
Obi’s rise in 2023 surprised many. Without the backing of Nigeria’s two major parties, he galvanized youth activists online and on the streets. Thousands joined the movement after 2020’s Lekki protests against police brutality. That youth cohort then propelled him into a close third place in the presidential vote .
In Abia State, the Obidient Movement has deep roots. Since July 2022, the Abia chapter has organised forums on civic education and job creation. This march will cement its standing and show unity behind Obi’s new platform, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ahead of the 2027 elections .
Obi’s background informs the event’s goodwill focus. A philosophy graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, he later attended Lagos Business School and Harvard Business School’s executive programmes . He often visits vulnerable communities, so the planned stops at homes, hospitals and prisons echo his past outreach.
Security agencies in Abia have been briefed. Governor Alex Otti, himself a former banker with a PhD in economics, praised the organisers for including charity visits. He noted that public order will be maintained and urged participants to follow Covid-19 guidelines .
Local businesses are gearing up. Hoteliers in Umuahia and Aba report near-full bookings for July 18–19. Transport unions have hired extra buses, while caterers plan to feed marchers at key points. Market women see a chance to sell Obi-branded caps and shirts .
Analysts say the one-million target is ambitious. Abia’s total population is about 3.8 million, and turnout may be spread across towns. Yet organisers believe the combined total will hit their goal. “We want every Obi supporter in Abia on the streets,” Dr Obiesili said .
This mobilisation follows smaller marches in Anambra, Lagos and Kano earlier this year. National coordinators say those events drew over 500,000 combined. They expect Abia to outdo them. If so, the march could become Nigeria’s largest single-day civic action since 2020’s End SARS protests .
Observers note risks. Traffic hold-ups, waste disposal and crowd control could strain state resources. But organisers promise clean-up crews and medical teams at every meeting point. They’ve partnered with local NGOs and the Red Cross to handle emergencies .
Digital platforms will stream the march live. Obidient House’s YouTube channel plans multiple camera angles. Social media officers will post real-time updates under #AbiaForObi64. Supporters nationwide plan solidarity gatherings in their states .
Altogether, the July 19 walk aims to blend celebration with service. It shows how a political movement can also act as a social heart. Abia’s Obidients believe their demonstration of numbers and compassion will send a clear message: Peter Obi remains a unifying force in Nigerian politics.