Members of the Obidient movement have called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to shelve his 2027 presidential ambition and throw his weight behind Mr Peter Obi to secure the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket.
The appeal was made during a massive rally in Umuahia, part of a coordinated ‘One Million Man-March for Obi’ held simultaneously across Umuahia, Aba, Ohafia, and Uzuakoli to celebrate Mr Obi’s 64th birthday.
Speaking to journalists, Chibuzor Obiesili, Abia State chairman of the rally’s Organising Committee and a state coordinator of the Obidient movement, urged Atiku to make the ultimate political sacrifice for the nation by stepping aside.
“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 said.
READ ALSO: 2027: Tinubu will crush Obi, Atiku again – Presidency declares
He acknowledged Atiku’s past efforts in challenging the ruling party but insisted that supporting a Southerner like Obi would be the game-changing move needed to unify the opposition and secure electoral victory in 2027.
“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,” he added.
Obiesili described Peter Obi as a consistent advocate for the poor, saying the birthday rallies were a spontaneous show of admiration and grassroots support for his leadership ideals.
The Obidients also praised recent coalition efforts among opposition figures to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid but reiterated their belief that Obi represents the most unifying and credible choice to lead Nigeria forward.
