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 in an interview with Channels TV on Monday, July 6, 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). GeographicReference
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. 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 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.
“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”he said