Former Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), Chief Simon Okeke, has called on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to reciprocate the support people of the South East have given to him throughout his electoral contest, by withdrawing from the race for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket for former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi.

Chief Okeke, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said Atiku’s presidential bids up to 2023, had enjoyed the massive support of the South Easterners more than any northern political leader.

“It was Atiku’s presidential bid in the 2023 contest that diminished (Peter Obi) PO’s margin of victory in that election,” he stated.

According to him, among all the present presidential aspirants, Obi is the most acceptable nationwide.

He added, “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 noted that the 2027 contest is an opportunity for Atiku to reciprocate the same support he had “Progressively received from the South East by him not only withdrawing from the contest which by convention is for Southern candidates to serve out the balance of the term of four years, but to throw his weight behind Peter Obi.”

He warned that failure to do this would portray Atiku as the opposite of what people thought he was, a true friend of Ndigbo.

“He needs to show appreciation of our South East support for his several presidential bids,” he stated.

The former PSC Chairman appealed to other politicians from the North and South West, for equity and justice, to lend support to Peter Obi’s presidential bid, “since his victory will put the burden of the Nigeria-Biafra war behind us permanently.”