‘It’s Not the North’s Turn’ – Ali Modu Sheriff Tells Atiku to Wait Until 2031

• Former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff says the North will not support Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential ambition.

Former Borno State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ali Modu Sheriff, has ruled out any possibility of Northern support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the region will respect the existing power rotation arrangement.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sheriff said Nigeria’s political leaders reached an understanding after the civil war to ensure a balance in the country’s leadership between the North and the South.

According to him, with former President Muhammadu Buhari, a Northerner, having completed eight years in office, it remains the South’s turn to produce the next president.

“For Atiku, it’s not our time now. He is on his own because it is the turn for the South. Buhari just finished eight years,” Sheriff said.

He described Atiku as an experienced and qualified leader but maintained that the former vice president should wait until 2031 if he still wishes to contest for the presidency.

“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.”

Sheriff also expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would secure a second term in 2027, although he stressed that the APC would not be complacent and would continue working to earn the support of Nigerians.

The former governor also dismissed the chances of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who is reportedly preparing to contest the 2027 election under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to Sheriff, Obi is unlikely to enjoy significant support across Northern Nigeria despite his strong performance in parts of the region during the 2023 election.

When reminded that Obi won substantial votes in states such as Nasarawa and Plateau in the last election, Sheriff argued that political realities had changed.

He further alleged that Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State had negatively affected his perception among many Northerners, claiming that the region would not back his presidential ambition.

Sheriff also referenced conversations involving supporters of Rabiu Kwankwaso, alleging that many Northern voters were unwilling to support any political alliance involving Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general election.