By Julius Oweh
Yesterday ,the national executive of the Peoples Democratic Party and their supporters across the length and breadth of the nation descended on Asaba, the Delta State capital as what one wit described as the mother of all rallies. In deed and in truth, the rally lived to that tall billing. From the legislative quarters Okpanam Road, Asaba it was very clear that a big event was in the womb of time. There was the presence of police and other security operatives all over the place. From the Inter Bua roundabout, faithful PDP youths bedecked in the PDP colour were dancing to music mounted on the back of a pickup truck. It was like a musical festival.
There was traffic gridlock from Okpanam Road to Nnebisi Road and the famous Stephen Keshi stadium, venue of the rally. From 9am, the road was full of human and vehicular movement. You have to disembark at Konwen Plaza and trek to the stadium. Both VIP and party supporters partook in the trekking exercise. On the stadium wall were various banners and posters extolling the virtues of Atiku Abubakar, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon Sheriff Oborowori and Chief Monday Onyeme. There were other posters advertising the political ambitions of those going to the national assembly and the state house of Assembly.
As this reporter entered the stadium at 10am, it was already full to capacity. Inside the stadium was a sea of humanity while outside, food and drinks vendors were doing brisk business. The MC stand was ready for business as there were many musical groups to entertain the PDP supporters from across the twenty five local government areas. Different groups came with different colour all bearing the insignia of the PDP. The women outnumbered the men. There were two giant television sets beaming the events. The Pond News gathered that the event was also beamed live on a national television station.
Inside the grounds of the stadium was like a festival and carnival like atmosphere. Arrays of musicians were outdoing each other and the PDP supporters were very much appreciative of the music. There was big sign on a caravan Follow who sabi road. This bus like caravan was later used to drive Atiku Abubakar and his team round the stadium to greet the members of PDP.
At 11am, the MC pleaded with non- musicians to leave the stage. There was a sea of miniature umbrellas won by members as caps. The PDP supporters were in their elements dancing to the ‘Atikulate’ music. The Pond News investigation revealed that there were more than one thousand support groups. But prominent among them was the Adamawa National Forum, from the home state of Atiku. There was also the Widow Welfare Scheme. The song Delta don see something captured the hearts of the dancing groups as they move round the foreground of the stadium. In fact there more people outside the stadium than those inside it.
At 12.37 pm, Atiku, Okowa and other prominent members of the PDP arrived and were welcome with the ‘Atikulate’ music. They entered the Rescue Team vehicle and moved round the stadium acknowledging the cheers of PDP members and faithful. All the big wigs of PDP were around. From Iyorcha Ayu national chairman, Governor Emmanuel Udom, Governor Godwin Obaseki, former Governor Aliyu Babaginda, former senate president Dr Bukola Saraki, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa. and many others. After moving round the stadium, the PDP national team entered the stage.
The day occasion began proper at 12.57pm with the rendition of the national anthem. The first person to speak was the woman leader of the party. She urged the youth to vote for PDP for Atiku was a lover of youth and women and he would administer to their welfare when voted in February election.
The MC called on Delta PDP governorship candidate Hon Sheriff Oborowori to speak . The governorship candidate said he was not here to campaign but to greet the people of Delta state for their support. The speech was brief saying that all Deltans are Atikulate and Sheriffied. He said PDP had no problem as the party toured the 217 wards spreading the message of the party. He ended by saying that PDP will rescue the nation and the MORE agenda will consolidate on the gains of the Okowa administration.
The former governor of Delta State Emmanuel Uduaghan was greeted with an Urhobo song and he showed some dancing skills. He described Atiku as a friend of Delta and that Delta state was a second home to the presidential candidate. Uduaghan appreciated Atiku for picking a Deltan as his running mate. He described Okowa as a smart politician who would add value to the presidency. He prayed and hoped that Delta State would be better for it if Atiku becomes the next president.
At 1.26pm, Senator Dino Maleye stole the show with dancing skills that would make Davidoo green with envy. He told the crowd to clap for themselves and started singing Count your blessing. He said that PDP should thank Atiku for getting VP who was not a member of Boko Haram but a medical doctor. He said that Deltans should vote for Sheriff and not a mace snatcher. He was also behaving like a Pentecostal pastor by shouting ‘holy ghost fire’. He ended the comic relief by singing APC fall for ground, march, march down.
Aminu Waziri of Sokoto State and Godwin Obaseki both spoke on the need for Deltans to support the PDP to produce the next government. Obaseki urged Deltns to give Atiku 1.5 million votes. On the part of Emmanuel Udom, he said PDP was in Delta state for celebration and not campaign.
At 1.45pm, Okowa was ushered to the microphone with the buga music and the vice presidential candidate did not disappoint with his dancing steps. However, his spouse was asked to make a brief remark. Dame Edith Okowa shouted PDP, saying that Jesus was the lord, Jesus would make way, and that Jesus remains the ocean divider. She ended by saying that only PDP can save Nigeria.
Okowa described his principal as most competent and a problem solver. Said Okowa :Atiku is an experienced politician that has the capacity and pedigree to reset the country and I call on all eligible voters in the state to ensure that they have their PVCs to enable them vote in the forthcoming general elections. Atiku has also promised that his administration, if elected, will put in place a constitutional framework that will enable states to have state police so as to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.
Okowa ended by saying : follow who sabi. Thank you all, you nor fall my hand. Use your PVC to pepper APC. The crowd erupted in shouts.
The national chairman of the party Dr. Iyorcha Ayu thanked Deltans for having faith in their son, Okowa. He said the projects of Okowa administration would campaign for Atiku and Sheriff. Some decampees from APC, APGA and Labour party were received. He also used the occasion to hand over flag to Sheriff.
Before the speech of the PDP standard bearer, some students, NANS south south zone endorsed Atiku Abubakar as the preferred candidate. Atiku said that he was not in Asaba to campaign as Delta State has never failed him. He promised not to betray the trust of Deltans and indeed Niger Deltans. He alluded to the fact that Okowa if elected as the vice president was a step from the presidency. He spoke of devolution of powers and how the economy can be restructured.
Said the presidential hopeful:The APC government has disunited Nigeria in all aspects and it is our commitment to restore the unity of this country by ensuring that every part of this country has a sense of belonging. You must believe in PDP because as a party, we built the biggest economy in Africa until the APC came and destroyed it in 2015.Why vote for the same party that has suffered us in the last seven years plus? Let us vote them out to unite and rebuild our country again.
At exactly 2.25pm, the national anthem was sang and that was the end of the mother of all rallies .
