The presidential candidate of the Labour party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, was mobbed by motorists and travellers during a mid-rift between trailer drivers and police officers in Kogi State.
According to an X user, Nwoke Agulu (Anyafurugo), on Tuesday, the former presidential candidate acted as a mediator between protesting drivers and the police along Olamaboro Local Government Area of State in a bid to relax traffic.
The traffic came about after operatives of the Nigerian police shot the tyre of a trailer driver, in protest, other trailer drivers blocked the road.
The former Anambra governor, was said to have walked to the centre of the protest to plead with the trailer driver, whose tyre was destroyed by the police.
Shortly after settling the rift, the former governor was swamped by travellers and commuters alike who wanted to take photos with him.
In the video that surfaced online, Peter Obi could be seen trying to make his way out of the crowd, with the help of his security
Sharing the video, Agulu wrote: “A few hours ago, we left Anambra for Kogi State. 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 driver, leading all the trailer drivers at the scene 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.
“In the attached picture, you’ll see the driver in a brown caftan taking a selfie with Obi, along with commuters either taking their own selfies or expressing their thoughts on the incident. Rather than continue his lament, the driver began taking selfies with Mr. Obi.”
Peter Obi and Angry Drivers
A few hours ago, we left Anambra for Kogi State. 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, pic.twitter.com/VdAsXj4VJ8
— Nwoke Agulu (Anyafurugo 🦅) (@OkoyeCardinal) October 15, 2024
” We are happy for Peter Obi, We happy for Our President he solved our problem” pic.twitter.com/YIYnM5Bmum
— Nwoke Agulu (Anyafurugo 🦅) (@OkoyeCardinal) October 15, 2024
“Peter Obi is the people’s choice, he came out and people were very happy with him”
“He cleared, Peter Obi goes with anointing and grace, he is the man for the people” pic.twitter.com/m4m54ln3TZ
— Nwoke Agulu (Anyafurugo 🦅) (@OkoyeCardinal) October 15, 2024