Addressing journalists in Umuahia, the Abia State chairman of the Organising Committee and one of the coordinators of the Obidients in the state, Chibuzor Obiesili, appealed to Atiku to sacrifice his presidential ambition in support of Obi.

According to him, Obi can fix Nigeria’s problems if allowed to lead the country.

He commended Atiku and other opposition leaders for forming a coalition against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. Still, he argued that ceding the ticket to Obi, a Southerner, could be the game changer.

He said, “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.

“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.”

On the birthday rally, Obiesili said it was staged voluntarily to celebrate Obi, whom he described as a consistent advocate for the poor.

The caucus said: “Mr. Peter Obi’s philanthropic efforts nationwide embody his humanity and empathy for the people, transcending political affiliations, ethnicity, and other divides.

“Rather than being vilified or incited against, he should be commended for supporting human capital development in the nation.

“As a champion of democracy, nation-building, and sustainable development, Peter Obi deserves protection and support from all who share these values.

“What manner of example do we set for the younger generation, especially as regards public conduct, civility, respect for human rights and the rule of law, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

“How do we fight violence in the land, if as leaders we openly encourage intolerance, bigotry, and anti-democratic tendencies, like the Edo State governor has publicly exhibited?

“Politics ought not be a game of life or death. And no one deserves to be harmed on account of his or her political beliefs or association. Politics of bitterness, pettiness, and violence should never be encouraged in a democracy, or by people that claim to be democrats.

“If Governor Okpebholo could make such inflammatory remarks in a public setting, one wonders what kind of inciteful rhetoric he might be using behind closed doors against opposition party members or perceived enemies of his party.

“It is instructive that Governor Okpebholo uttered his infamous and satanic verses against Peter Obi at the defection ceremony of Hon. Marcus Onobun, a House of Representatives member who he had only days before threatened with the demolition of his house for allegedly harbouring cultists.

“It would be interesting to ask Governor Okpebholo if he would still go ahead to pull down Hon. Onobun’s country home — which he had marked for demolition — now that he has forcefully coerced him into his political party?

“In fact, it is only in these climes that a governor would glibly boast about insecurity in his state, as well as lie about the death of citizens, without providing any shred of evidence.

“We, therefore, urge President Bola Tinubu to call the Edo State governor to order. And hasten to warn that no harm should come to our leader, Peter Obi, anywhere in Nigeria or beyond.

“The other day, it was Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State; today it is Okpebholo of Edo. If the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) thinks it can use scaremongering to halt the ever-growing popularity of Mr. Peter Obi, they better think again.”

The statement was in reply to Okpebholo’s remarks at the weekend in Edo, where he insisted that Peter Obi’s safety in Edo cannot be guaranteed if he ever stepped into the state without taking permission from him.