Ahead of February 2023 general elections, a pressure group, The Big Tent, at the weekend inaugurated Kogi state executives with a pledge to end era of impunity in the state and Nigeria.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the inauguration of a 13-man State Executive Council at the Labour Party Secretariat in Lokoja, the State Coordinator of the Big Tent, Comrade Sunday Bala Oma, expressed gratitude to the leadership of the pressure group, under the national supervision of Prof. Pat Utomi and the North central Coordinating Council, under the leadership of Dr Hadizer Miner.
He thanked the leaders for finding him worthy to champion this course in Kogi state and promised not to let them down.
The Big Tent houses five critical stakeholders; the Labour Party, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) political desk, Trade Union Council (TUC) political desk, 80 Support Groups as well as the Obidient movement.
The Chairman of Labour Party in the state, who spoke through the State Organizing Secretary, Comrade Abdulmalik, commended the Big Tent for identifying with the party and its presidential candidatea, Mr Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti.
He expressed optimism that the synergy with the Big Tent will not only unseat the current leaders in power, but ensure Nigerians heave a sigh of relief under the incoming leadership of Mr Peter Obi.
Kogi East Coordinator of the Big Tent, Ambassador Joseph Atodo, who spoke on behalf of the inaugurated State Executives, thanked the national body for finding them worthy to serve in this capacity. He admonished everyone to see this rare feat as an avenue to rescue Nigeria from several years of misrule and waste of the people’s commonwealth.
Those inaugurated are: The State Coordinator, Dr Sunday Bala Oma; Spokesperson, Engr. Johnson Adeyemi; State Secretary, Maryam Yohanna; Labour Party Representative, Comrade Abdul; NLC/TUC representatives and 10 others.
To add color to the weekend, the State Executives, led a multitude of Labour Party faithfuls in a two million-man march advocacy rally at Anyigba on Saturday tagged: ‘Kogi East 2 Million Man March for Obi-Datti’.
The million-man march had in attendance hundreds of Labour Party supporters, students, market women, members of the 80 support groups across the 9 local government councils, NLC/TUC members, farmers associations as well as the general public.
In an opening remark, the LOC Chairman, Mr Ajogwu Sani appreciated all the 9 local government executives for mobilizing their members in large numbers. He prayed God to bless the sacrifice everyone has made to ensure this first of its kind march in Kogi state saw the light of day.
The Kogi East Chairman, Ambassador Joseph Atodo who couldn’t hide his joy, said he was elated at the massive turnout in his zone.
He admonished all to take the message of Mr Peter Obi to the nooks and crannies of the state.
The Labour Party Chairman thanked the Big Tent for leading the way. He assured of the party’s commitment to mobilize her members until the Obi-Datti Dream sees the light of day.
The State Coordinator, Dr Sunday Bala Oma, who participated in the million-man march thanked God for such a historic event. He also used the opportunity to thank the Police Force Headquarters, NSCDC and the local Vigilante Group for providing adequate security to forestall any break down of law and order that may arise, seeing that Anyigba is a flash point.
“With this massive turnout today, the era of impunity and reckless administrative rascality that has improvised our people will become a thing of the past,” he said.
Other speakers who addressed the million-man march included the Student Union Government President of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Comrade Alih; the market women leader, Hajiya Aishetu; the Anyigba Ward youth leader, Hon Philip Dansuma as well as the Secretary, Maryam Yohanna. MC Akpalla anchored the program that saw the massive crowd marched from Diagnostic Hospital Gate, through to Igala Unity Square, the University main gate, the market round about and finally had a stop at OLS, Anyigba, where the program was concluded.
