Members of the pro-Obi group, Obidients, have called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to shelve his presidential ambition and support Mr. Peter Obi to secure the 2027 presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The appeal came during a mega rally held in Umuahia on Saturday to celebrate Mr. Obi's 64th birthday. The peaceful demonstration, dubbed the 'One Million Man-March for Obi', was conducted simultaneously across multiple locations in Abia State, including Umuahia, Aba, Ohafia, and Uzuakoli.
Chibuzor Obiesili, the Abia State chairman of the Organizing Committee and one of the coordinators of the Obidients in the state, addressed journalists in Umuahia, emphasizing that Obi possesses the capability to address Nigeria's challenges if given the opportunity to lead the country.
"We thank those behind the formation of the coalition. We appeal that the coalition should consider Obi as its presidential ticket because he has the national appeal needed to uproot the ruling APC," Obiesili stated.
He further appealed directly to Atiku, saying, "We plead with Atiku to please step aside for Obi. Atiku has tried his best for Nigeria, but his greatest sacrifice and gift to Nigeria will be to support Obi get the ADC presidential ticket in 2027 so that Nigeria can move forward."
While commending Atiku and other opposition leaders for forming a coalition against President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid, Obiesili argued that ceding the ticket to Obi, a Southerner, could be the game-changer needed to challenge the ruling party effectively.
Regarding the birthday rally, Obiesili explained that it was organized voluntarily to celebrate Obi, whom he described as a consistent advocate for the poor. The event highlighted the continued grassroots support for the former Anambra State governor, who has maintained significant political relevance since his presidential bid in the 2023 general elections.
The call comes amid ongoing realignments in Nigeria's opposition landscape, with recent reports indicating leadership challenges within the ADC in some states and notable political figures, including Atiku, making strategic moves ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
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