Man Begins Trek from Abuja to Bayelsa for Jonathan
The 2015 election season has produced a sizeable number of cross-country trekkers, with the latest joining the healthy trend in honour of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Accordingly, preparatory to the May 29 hand over date, Kogi-born Oladele John Nihi, yesterday began his walk from Abuja to Otuoke, Bayelsa State, in honour of the president. All others before him had elected to walk hundreds of kilometres from far-flung cities to Abuja in honour of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.
Nihi said he decided to embark on the 700-kilometre journey because he wants to celebrate Jonathan as the true hero of democracy.
Nihi who began his trek at about 6 am, said he chose to walk for Jonathan because he conceded defeat after the presidential election, thus sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
Using the hashtag #TrekForGEJ (Trek for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan), he said his walk could be tracked as he intends to update people on his whereabouts.
Days before commencing his walkathlon, Nihi had walked from the Federal Housing Estate, Lugbe, Abuja to the National Hospital in the city for tests and then proceeded to the police force headquarters to submit a notification letter to the acting Inspector General of Police.
He also submitted another letter to his General Overseer, Dr. Paul Eneche, who presides over the Dunamis Church, seeking for prayers as he embarked on the journey.
Tweeting from @OladeleNihi he wrote: “Dear Nigerians, I have begun this trek in fulfillment of my promise to trek from Abuja to Otuoke in Bayelsa State, the home town of the president.
“This is to honour our democratic hero President GEJ for sustaining our democracy and keeping to his promise of free, fair and transparent elections. President GEJ deserves the stress.
“Most importantly, proving that indeed no blood of any Nigerian is worth his ambition, I chose to celebrate him by trekking.
“Even if all I can do is to clean and sweep his compound in Otuoke before his official hand over on 29 May, 2015, I am okay with that.
“Abuja to Yenagoa in Bayelsa State is about 700kms. I intend to trek as much as my energy can carry me daily from 6am-6pm. I shall sleep in the nearest police station or church by 6pm.
“I shall go daily as much as my strength can carry. My goal is to get to Otuoke between the 24th and 28th of May at the maximum.
“In as much as I congratulate President-elect Buhari and appreciate those trekking from various parts of the country for him, I want to say sincerely that President Jonathan deserves more commendation for his sportsmanship and love for Nigeria.
“Since I don't have enough money to give nor do I even have access to him even if I want to give him the little I have, I Oladele Nihi have decided to trek from the city gate Abuja to Otuoke in Bayelsa State in honour of our democratic hero.”
The nationwide walkathlons were started by one Suleiman Hashimu who walked from Lagos to Abuja in commemoration of the victory of Buhari at the polls.
Soon afterwards, the trend, which is bound to help people keep fit, caught on like wildfire as so many other persons including women began long treks for politicians of their choice.