Day Labour Party Stormed Ibadan with Mega Rally

Ibadan, the capital city of old Western Region literally went agog last Thursday as thousands of members of the Labour Party led by the National executives stormed the city for the Party’s Campaign Mega ral­ly held at the historic Mapo Hall.

The carnival-like rally which had its floats traversing through Mokola, Oke Ado, Molete, Oja Oba, Idi Arere and others ended up at Mapo Hall where members of the party from the 33 local government areas of Oyo state gathered to be part of the epoch making event.

Apart from the large turn out of the people at the rally, the events also witnessed a unique way of audience participation in a political setting as reigning artistes including Small Doc­tor, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Taiye Currency, Omo Banke, Mukaila Olose, and many others thrilled them with nice lyrics and Jokes.

Some of the observers and po­litical analysts at the events de­scribed the events as mother of all rally as there have never been a rally that pulled such crowd in Ibadan in the last 15 years. “Even no government in power including the present one has ever pulled this kind of crowd”, Adewumi said.

The National chairman of the Party while addressing the mammoth crowd expressed satisfaction with the reception given to them in Oyo. His words: “I am really impressed, this kind of reception really gave me con­fidence and raises my hope that LP will win over 80 percent of political office in the coming election in Oyo State. I am en­couraged with this crowd”.

Speaking on Alao Akala, the party’s governorship candidate, the party chairman said: “We have no doubt that Alao Akala will deliver Oyo State for Labour Party and he will run the gov­ernment in accordance with the party manifesto which already encompasses, welfare of work­ers, women and youth empow­erment, infrastructural devel­opment and provision of basic amenities that will reposition the state into its normal lane”.

The state chairman of the party, Hon Gbenga Olayemi who called for a minute’s si­lence in honour of those who lost their lives to unfavourable government policies said: “La­bour Party draws its strength from the failure of the APC-led administration in the state, the formation of LP is a combina­tion of the aggrieved PDP and APC who have parted ways with Gov. Ajimobi due to his inability to provide quality leadership for the state.

“We worked against Alao Aka­la in 2011 because we felt he is not good for the state but shortly after the inauguration of the new government, we realised that we have misled the people Oyo State by mobilising them to vote for Sen. Ajimobi because he has failed the people and now we have deserted him and moved to Labour Party and settled for the candidacy of Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala because of his ante­cedents and contributions to the growth of the state’.

Hon Olayemi also reinstated the commitment of the party to­wards the well being of the elec­torate saying: “We, in the Labour Party believes Alao Akala will run a purposeful government that will correct all the anoma­lies of the outgoing government of the All progressive Congress, (APC) and restore a better life for our people”.

Otunba Alao Akala while ad­dressing the crowd said his com­ing back into the government as governor is “to liberate the peo­ple from the shackles of poverty, mis-governance, lies and oppres­sion. Since the inception of this administration, it has been woes and cries from the downtrodden masses.

“I want to say unequivocally that Labour Party shall liberate you from this act of oppression, Labour Party as you all know comprises principled people whose main objective is to pro­vide succor to the downtrodden masses, create Jobs for the team­ing masses, provide infrastruc­tures to make life meaningful and provide security for lives and property to enhance and ensure comfortable living,” he stressed.

The former governor who also unveiled his 13-point agenda said: “As you have entrusted me with the mantle of leadership to lead the Labour Party in the state as its gubernatorial can­didate, I hereby reiterate and emphasise that I shall always subject myself to the fear of God. In the implementation of the 13-point agenda as was the practice during my first tem. I am convinced that this principle of ruling with the fear of God enabled us to record our modest achievements which endeared us to the hearts of the teaming masses of Oyo State”.

While receiving the flag of the party, he said: “As I have by the grace of God received the Flag of our great party for the guber election scheduled to hold on April 11, I hereby make a solemn promise to provide alongside with my deputy, Sharafadeen Alli, the much needed qualita­tive leadership to enable Labour Party record a resounding suc­cess in the forthcoming guber­natorial election. We remain committed and loyal to the cause of our great party and it is our belief that all the party faithful will demonstrate their love, com­mitment and loyalty to jointly take our great party to victory to enable us to create and establish an enduring legacy that will sus­tain the distribution of democ­racy to our good people in Oyo State”.