Enugu stood still on Tuesday as former President Olusegun Obasanjo touched down in the South-East to publicly throw his weight behind Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, triggering a political earthquake that rippled across the South-East and South-South zones.
From the airport to the city centre, roads were choked with cheering supporters, party faithful and curious onlookers eager to witness what many described as a “historic alignment.” Markets slowed, offices shut early and commercial activities dipped sharply as news of Obasanjo’s presence spread like wildfire.
The former president’s endorsement, delivered in Enugu — the political heartbeat of the South-East — is being seen as a decisive boost for Obi’s nationwide push, especially among undecided voters and political elites watching the 2027 permutations closely. For many supporters, Obasanjo’s visit was not just symbolic; it was a statement of direction.
“This is bigger than party politics,” a trader near Ogbete Market said. “When Obasanjo speaks, the nation listens.”
Security was beefed up across Enugu as delegations from neighbouring South-East and South-South states poured in, turning the city into a carnival of political solidarity. Supporters waved banners, sang solidarity songs and hailed what they called a “bridge between old power and new hope.”
Analysts say the endorsement has effectively redrawn the political map of the southern corridor, placing Enugu at the centre of a rapidly evolving national conversation.
As night fell, one thing was clear: with Obasanjo’s entry into the Obi campaign from Enugu, the South-East and South-South are no longer just spectators — they are now firmly on the frontline of Nigeria’s next big political battle.
Source:@AdcNews_
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