Former Borno State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ali Modu Sheriff, has dismissed Peter Obi’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the former Anambra State governor will not secure the support of Northern voters.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Sheriff said he was not concerned about Obi’s presidential ambition, despite the former Labour Party candidate’s strong performance in the 2023 election.
Obi, who polled more than six million votes to finish third in the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, 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.
“I am not worried about Peter Obi at all because I know that Northerners will never vote for Peter Obi,” Sheriff said.
When reminded that Obi won substantial votes in states such as Nasarawa and Plateau during the 2023 election, Sheriff dismissed the comparison, arguing that circumstances had changed.
“The situation is different now, you know why? Peter Obi when he was a governor chased all the Northerners out of Anambra State,” Sheriff alleged.
He added: “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.”
Sheriff also defended President Bola Tinubu against Obi’s recent criticisms over the country’s security challenges.
READ ALSO: [2027] Some People Don’t Want Peter Obi To Be On Ballot — NDC National Secretary
Obi has repeatedly criticised the President over worsening insecurity and has called on Tinubu to resign if he cannot protect Nigerians.
Responding, Sheriff said Obi was the least qualified person to demand the President’s resignation, insisting that Tinubu was making genuine efforts to address the security situation.
He cited the President’s push for the establishment of state police as evidence of his commitment to tackling insecurity.
“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.
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.
“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 turn for the South. 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.”
Sheriff expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure a second term in 2027 but said the APC would not take victory for granted and would work hard ahead of the election.
The post ‘North Won’t Vote For Him’, Sheriff Dismisses Obi’s 2027 Presidential Bid appeared first on Channels Television.
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