Northerners will never vote for Peter Obi - Ex-Borno gov Sheriff

Ali Modu Sheriff, a prominent figure in Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Borno State Governor, has expressed strong doubts about Peter Obi's potential success in the 2027 presidential election. Sheriff asserted that Obi, the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 election, would struggle to gain significant support in Northern Nigeria.

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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," Sheriff declared during a television appearance. Despite Obi securing considerable votes in states like Plateau and Nasarawa in the previous election, Sheriff argued that the political dynamics have shifted. He suggested that many Northerners still harbor resentment over Obi's tenure as governor of Anambra State, alleging that Obi "chased Northerners out of Anambra State" during his governorship.

Sheriff also indicated that supporters of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso share these reservations. He claimed that individuals within Kano are advising Kwankwaso against any political alliance with Obi, stating they would support Kwankwaso if he ran independently but not if he aligned with Obi.

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

Furthermore, Sheriff defended President Bola Tinubu's approach to national security, countering criticisms leveled by Obi. Obi has repeatedly accused the Tinubu administration of failing to address the country's insecurity issues. Sheriff, however, argued that Nigeria's security challenges are long-standing and predate the current government. He urged that Tinubu should be evaluated based on the measures his administration is implementing, citing the proposed introduction of state police as one such initiative.

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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.

Sheriff also dismissed the prospects of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to contest under the African Democratic Congress, maintaining that political power should remain in the Southern part of the country until 2031.

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