By David Akpu, Abakaliki

Vehicular and human movements in Abakaiki, Ebonyi State capital, were on Saturday, stalled as supporters of the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, staged a one-million-man march in the State.

However, there was attempts to disrupt the rally by Policemen who stormed Pastoral Center, Abakaiki where the Peter Obi supporters were converging for the rally.

The Policemen stormed the area and shot canisters of teargas to disperse Obi supporters.

Following the development, Obi supporters then ran inside the Pastoral Center, a Catholic church facility in the area and locked the gate while the Policemen cordoned off the area.

Determined to hold the rally, another set of the Obi supporters converged at Grand Area in that mile 50 and took off for the rally.

The supporters who were in their large numbers, joined the other group who took off at Grand Arena and grounded the capital city as they marched round the city for about 4 hours.

Ebonyi State Coordinator of Coalition for Peter Obi(CPO), Dr. John Agha commended the Obi supporters for holding the rally.

He described as ill motivated the attempt to disrupt the rally by Policemen and urged the people to remain resolute in their support for Peter Obi, adding that Obi is the only candidate that will take the country out of bad Leadership.

Meanwhile, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State who was accused of ordering policemen to disrupt the rally has exonerated himself.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr Chooks Oko, said Umahi was not aware of any disruption of a rally by supporters of Labour Party Presidential candidate in the State.

The statement reads:”The attention of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State has been drawn to some online publications and rumours making the rounds that he ordered the disruption of a gathering in support of one of the presidential candidates in the 2023 elections. This is not true.

“The Executive Governor of Ebonyi state is certainly not aware of any disruption of any gathering as he didn’t order any. He is a democrat who believes firmly in the rule of law. He wishes every contending politician the very best and will insist on a level playing ground for all. If it is true that the police dispersed people, the answer will surely rest with the police.

“For record purposes, the relevant government agencies had approved the use of Abakaliki township stadium for a rally by the Labour party subject to the payment of some specified fees. Rather than pay the fees, it was gathered, the organizers chose to empty into the streets causing some untold hardships on the hapless citizens going about their daily pursuits.

“The police, we are told, had to step in to restore law and order.

“The Governor appeals to all citizens to always abide by the dictates of the law and decent living so that law and order will always reign supreme.

“He wishes all political parties and their candidates well and enjoins all to play the game by the rules.”END//