…ruled out chances Of Atiku, Says It’s Not North Time
Former Borno State Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ali Modu Sheriff, has dismissed the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi’s chances in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
Sheriff, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, insisted that the former Anambra State governor will not secure the support of Northern voters.
He said he was not concerned about Obi’s presidential ambition, despite his strong performance in the 2023 election.
New Telegraph recalls that Obi polled more than six million votes to finish third in the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP); he is seeking the presidency again in 2027 under the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
However, Sheriff maintained that Obi would not succeed because, according to him, the North would not vote for him.
Sheriff also defended President Bola Tinubu against Obi’s recent criticisms over the country’s security challenges.
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He cited the President’s push to establish state police as evidence of his commitment to tackling insecurity.
Sheriff also ruled out the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, arguing that the North would not support his bid because it is the South’s turn to produce the President.
According to him, Nigeria’s political leaders reached an understanding after the civil war to promote regional balance in the presidency.
“I am not worried about Peter Obi at all because I know that Northerners will never vote for Peter Obi,” Sheriff said.
“The situation is different now, you know why? Peter Obi when he was a governor chased all the Northerners out of Anambra State.
“This is what Kano people are telling Kwankwaso now, that we always supported you and we will support you if you run for president but we will not support you to go with Peter Obi.”
“We don’t just go and be condemning the president because there is insecurity in Nigeria,” he said, adding that the country’s security challenges did not begin under Tinubu’s administration.
“After the civil war our leaders have said that there will no longer be this situation in Nigeria, there is a regional agreement. For Atiku, it’s not our time now. He is on his own because it is the South’s turn. Buhari just finished 8 years.
“If Atiku wants to be president he can wait, he is a leader in Northern Nigeria, he is eminently qualified but it is not our time now, he has to wait till 2031. That is the time for the North, for now, it is time for the South.”
Source: New Telegraph
