Supporters of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, popularly known as “Obidients,” have appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to shelve his reported ambition for the 2027 presidential election and instead support Obi to secure the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The appeal was made during a massive birthday rally held in honour of Obi’s 64th birthday across several towns in Abia State, including Umuahia, Aba, Ohafia, and Uzuakoli. The event, described as a “one million man march for Obi,” attracted large crowds of supporters who praised Obi’s leadership qualities and called for national unity around his candidacy.
Speaking to journalists in Umuahia, Dr. Chibuzor Obiesili, the Abia State Chairman of the Organising Committee and one of the Obidient coordinators in the state, urged Atiku to make a personal sacrifice in the interest of national development by stepping aside and supporting Obi’s presidential bid in 2027.
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Obiesili acknowledged Atiku’s long-standing contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey but insisted that Obi has the national appeal, integrity, and capacity to address Nigeria’s challenges swiftly. He emphasized that Obi’s clean track record and reputation for transparency make him the ideal candidate to lead the country out of its current socio-economic struggles.
While commending Atiku and other opposition leaders for forming a coalition against President Bola Tinubu’s expected re-election bid, Obiesili urged the coalition to zone its presidential ticket to the South and rally behind Obi, whom he described as the candidate with the best chance of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He stated that Obi’s consistent advocacy for the downtrodden and his leadership style have won him massive support across religious, ethnic, and political divides. According to Obiesili, Obi represents hope for millions of Nigerians and has become a symbol of integrity in Nigerian politics.
He added that the birthday rally was not sponsored by any politician but was a voluntary show of love and support for a man many Nigerians believe can bring meaningful change.
