Former Borno State Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ali Modu Sheriff, has ruled out the chances of both former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that it remains the South’s turn to produce Nigeria’s next president.
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, Sheriff declared that Atiku was “on his own” in his latest presidential bid, maintaining that the North should not seek to reclaim the presidency after former President Muhammadu Buhari completed two terms in office.
According to Sheriff, Nigeria’s political leaders reached an understanding after the civil war to preserve national unity by rotating the presidency between the North and the South.
He argued that the arrangement should be respected to ensure fairness and political stability.
While describing Atiku as an experienced and qualified politician, Sheriff said the former vice president should wait until 2031 before pursuing another presidential ambition.
He also dismissed the prospects of Peter Obi, insisting that the former Labour Party presidential candidate would not receive sufficient support from Northern voters to win the 2027 election.
Sheriff argued that although Obi recorded impressive votes in parts of the North during the 2023 election, the political situation has changed significantly.
Sheriff further alleged that Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State created resentment among many Northerners, adding that this would make it difficult for him to gain widespread acceptance across the region in 2027.
He also claimed that supporters of former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso would resist any political alliance involving Obi.
The APC stalwart also defended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against criticisms over insecurity, saying the country’s security challenges predate the current government.
He maintained that Tinubu’s administration has introduced reforms, including efforts to establish state police, to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
Expressing confidence in the ruling APC, Sheriff predicted that President Tinubu would win a second term in the 2027 presidential election. He, however, stressed that the party would continue to campaign vigorously and would not take victory for granted.
Sheriff’s comments are expected to intensify political debate over Nigeria’s power-sharing arrangement, zoning principle and the emerging alignments ahead of the 2027 general election, as the country’s major political figures continue consultations and strategising for the next presidential contest.
