Ali Modu Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State and senior figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) said Tuesday that Northern Nigerians should not support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in next year’s presidential contest, arguing the presidency should remain in the South until 2031.
Speaking on a national television show Sheriff said an informal regional agreement reached after the civil war obliges leaders to alternate the presidency among Nigeria’s major regions.
“For Atiku, it’s not our time now,” Sheriff said, adding that while former Vice President Atiku is “eminently qualified,” he should “wait till 2031.”
Atiku, a perennial presidential contender, is contesting the 2027 election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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Sheriff said the North had “no justification” to reclaim the presidency following the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari and expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would win a second term in 2027—while cautioning that the ruling party should not become complacent.
Sheriff also dismissed the electoral prospects of former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, who is running in 2027 under the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress.
“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 Peter Obi performed strongly in states such as Nasarawa and Plateau in 2023, Sheriff said the political landscape had shifted and accused Obi of having alienated Northerners during his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
He further suggested that supporters of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, had indicated reluctance to form an alliance with Obi.
“This is what Kano people are telling Kwankwaso now: we will support you if you run for president but we will not support you to go with Peter Obi,” Sheriff said.
The comments further indicates ongoing regional sensitivities in the country’s politics and the strategic calculations shaping party manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 vote.
