Former chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) Simon Okeke has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside for Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement on Tuesday, Okeke appealed to members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other Nigerians to support Obi’s candidacy.
“Peter Obi may not be getting it right in some areas. Being human, it should be expected. No one is perfect. Nonetheless, among all the presidential aspirants today, he is the most acceptable nationwide. At no time in the political history of Nigeria before, during and after our Independence till this date has any candidate from any part of Nigeria enjoyed such a universal nationwide acceptance, not even the great charismatic Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik),” he said.
The 90-year-old added that Atiku had enjoyed strong support from the South East in past elections and should reciprocate by backing Obi.
“On Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential bids up to 2023, no Northern presidential candidate had ever enjoyed the massive support of the people of South East as he has.
It was Atiku’s presidential bid in the 2023 contest that diminished PO’s margin of victory in that election.
“One would expect that 2027 contest will give Alhaji Atiku a good opportunity to reciprocate the same support he has progressively received from the South East by him not only withdrawing from the contest which by convention is for Southern candidates to serve out balance of term of four years, but to throw his weight behind Peter Obi. Failure to do this will portray him to be opposite of what we thought he is – a true friend of Ndigbo,” he said.
He added that such a move would show appreciation for the support Atiku received from the region in previous elections.
Okeke also called on political leaders in the North and South West to support Obi’s bid.
“I appeal to our Northern and South Western brothers and friends to see the equity and justice in supporting Peter Obi’s presidential bid since his victory will put the burden of the Nigeria-Biafra war behind us permanently,” he said.
