By VALENTINE OBIENYEM, Unobe, Kogi State
This Tuesday (today, October 15) morning, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, left Anambra with his entourage for Kogi State on a humanitarian mission. As we reached Unobe, a town in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, we encountered a long line of stationary vehicles stretching for about half a kilometre. Upon inquiry, we learned that the police had shot the tyre of a trailer, leading all the trailer drivers at the scene, in apparent solidarity with their distressed colleague, to block the road in protest.
True to his nature, Mr. Peter Obi got out of the car and walked towards the epicentre of that earthquake of protest that was simmering. As he approached, the tense atmosphere among the commuters quickly turned cheerful, with chants of “Our President!” echoing from Igbos, Yorubas, and Hausas alike.
When Obi reached the Hausa driver, who had been crying over his damaged tyre, the man’s mood shifted instantly. Rather than continue his lament, he began taking selfies with Mr. Obi, and soon, an epidemic of selfies broke out among the crowd.
Without even waiting for Obi to plead with him, the driver exclaimed in Hausa (as translated by those nearby), “Who am I for Obi to beg me?” Immediately, he cleared the road, much to everyone’s relief.
