DistantNews
Support us
I’m not worried about Obi, northerners will never vote for him - Ali Modu Sheriff
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

I’m not worried about Obi, northerners will never vote for him - Ali Modu Sheriff

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Ali Modu Sheriff, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, dismisses Peter Obi's chances in the 2027 presidential election, stating Northerners will not vote for him.
  • Sheriff defends President Bola Tinubu's security record and argues the presidency should remain in the South until 2031.
  • He claims Obi's past actions as governor of Anambra State alienated Northern voters and that supporters of Rabiu Kwankwaso oppose aligning with Obi.

Ali Modu Sheriff, a prominent figure in Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed strong doubts about Peter Obi's prospects in the 2027 presidential election. Sheriff asserted that Northern voters would not support the Labour Party's candidate, stating, "I am not worried about Peter Obi because I know Northerners will never vote for him."

I am not worried about Peter Obi because I know Northerners will never vote for him.

— Ali Modu SheriffExpressing his assessment of Peter Obi's chances in the upcoming presidential election.

Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State, also defended President Bola Tinubu's administration, particularly on security matters. He argued that the presidency should continue to be held by a leader from the South until 2031, suggesting a rotational understanding in Nigerian politics. He countered criticisms of Tinubu's handling of insecurity, noting that the crisis predates the current administration and pointing to initiatives like the push for state police as measures to improve safety.

The situation is different now. When Peter Obi was governor, he chased Northerners out of Anambra State.

— Ali Modu SheriffAlleging past actions by Peter Obi that he believes would alienate Northern voters.

When challenged about Obi's previous electoral success in Northern states, Sheriff maintained that circumstances have changed. He alleged that Obi's tenure as governor of Anambra State led to dissatisfaction among Northerners. "When Peter Obi was governor, he chased Northerners out of Anambra State," Sheriff claimed, adding that supporters of former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are against any political alliance with Obi.

This is what people in Kano are telling Kwankwaso now. They say they have always supported him and will continue to do so if he contests for president, but they will not support him if he aligns with Peter Obi.

— Ali Modu SheriffClaiming opposition from Kwankwaso's supporters to a potential alliance with Peter Obi.

Sheriff also dismissed the chances of other potential contenders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He reiterated the argument for power rotation, suggesting it was an unwritten consensus among political leaders post-civil war to maintain national unity. Sheriff's remarks reflect the ongoing political maneuvering and strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.

We should not simply condemn the President because there is insecurity in Nigeria.

— Ali Modu SheriffUrging a balanced assessment of President Tinubu's administration regarding security.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog