PDP members turn to prayer warriors as heavy rain disrupts Oke's rally in Akure

There was a mild drama yesterday at Akure Democracy Park, venue of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke’s mega rally, as party members turned to prayer warriors to seek for God’s intervention over a heavy down pour which nearly marred the event.

The party members, who trooped out in their thousands despite the heavy downpour which lasted for four hours, preferred to stay in the rain to welcome the Vice-President, Nnamdi Sambo, National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and other chieftains of the party to the political event.

The party loyalists who dressed in yellow vest and caps, were also busy chanting Oke’s name “Oke, Oke Gbemi” that is “Oke should swallow them”.

Sambo, who is the Chairman of the Presidential Committee for  the PDP Candidate, could not kick start the event while other leaders of the party, including chief Olusola Oke and his running mate, Saka Lawal decided to join the party supporters in the rain as a way of showing their commitments in wining the election.

 The Vice-President, who later addressed the party members in the rain, said they have displayed the spirit that PDP was ready to take over the state.

He said the people are agitating for a change in the state and also want the PDP to take over the state again.

Sambo re-assured the commitment of the presidency for free and fair election in the state, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration would provide all the necessary machinery that would give room for “one man, one vote”.

According to him, “There will be a peaceful election in the state, because the present government in Nigeria is still committed to its promise of “one man, one vote” there will be adequate security to checkmate the activities of election riggers”.

Sambo however urged the PDP members to go back to their unit and canvass for votes for PDP and Oke.

Tukur who praised the PDP for displaying the spirit of unity at the rally, said, “No amount of rain or sun can send him away from Oke’s rally”

The PDP National Chairman used the occasion to welcome, former Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s Commissioner for Commence and Industry, Mr. Akin Akingbesote to the PDP fold.

He assured supporters of the party that the national executives are working on how to ensure that PDP returns to power in the state without rigging.

The former Governor of the state Olusegun Agagu, vowed that the present administration would be removed from office by 2013, adding that Mimiko’s government had failed the people.

He alleged that Governor Mimiko got the mandate in 2009 through a fraudulent act, stressing that his “days are number in the state government house”

 Agagu assured the people that Oke’s administration if voted in, would do better than what he was able to achieve in his six years as governor of the state.

Dignitaries at the event include, former National Chairman of PDP, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, National Secretary of the party, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, South West Vice Chairman, Segun Oni, Women leader, Mrs. Kema Chikwe, Presidential Advisers on Political and Niger Delta affair,  Alhaji Ahmed Gulak and Kingsley Kuku respectively.

Others were, Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Mobolaji Johnson, Minister for Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade, former Minister for Defence, Tokunbo Kayode, Minister for Housing, Bolaji Osomo, Senator Hope Uzodima, Dr. Olaiya Oni among others.