2027: Sheriff Says Atiku Should Wait Until 2031, Dismisses Obi's Chances as Opposition Figures Push Back
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By George Irukamma
Former Borno State Governor and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ali Modu Sheriff, has declared that it is not the turn of Northern Nigeria to produce the country's next president, insisting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should shelve his presidential ambition until 2031.
Sheriff made the remarks during an appearance on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, on Monday, where he also dismissed the prospects of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, the political understanding that emerged after the Nigerian Civil War requires the presidency to rotate among the country's major regions in the interest of national stability and fairness.
He argued that after former President Muhammadu Buhari completed eight years in office as a Northerner, the South should be allowed to complete its turn before power returns to the North.
"After the civil war, our leaders agreed there would no longer be this situation in Nigeria. There is a regional understanding. For Atiku, it is not our time now. He is on his own because it is the turn of the South. Buhari just finished eight years," Sheriff said.
He maintained that although Atiku remains one of the most experienced politicians in Northern Nigeria and is qualified to lead the country, he should defer his ambition until 2031.
"If Atiku wants to be president, he can wait. He is a leader in Northern Nigeria and eminently qualified, but it is not our time now," he added.
Sheriff also expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure a second term in office in 2027, while noting that the APC would continue to work hard rather than take victory for granted.
Sheriff dismisses Obi's electoral chances
Turning to the opposition, Sheriff downplayed the presidential ambition of Peter Obi, who he claimed is seeking the presidency under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
He argued that Northern voters would not support Obi in the next general election.
"I am not worried about Peter Obi at all because I know that Northerners will never vote for Peter Obi," Sheriff stated.
He further alleged that Obi, during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, "chased Northerners out of Anambra," a claim for which he did not provide evidence during the interview.
Sheriff also claimed that supporters of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had expressed reservations about any political alliance involving Obi.
Obi supporters reject Sheriff's claims
Sheriff's comments have generated swift reactions from supporters of Peter Obi and other opposition figures, many of whom dismissed his assertions as personal opinions incapable of determining the outcome of the 2027 election.
A youth leader from Delta State, Mr. Amah Ogah, described Sheriff as "a spent political force with no electoral value," arguing that the outcome of the next presidential election would ultimately be decided by Nigerians at the ballot box rather than by comments made on television.
"Peter Obi is on course for victory in 2027 because Nigerians—not a television programme—will determine who becomes president," Ogah said.
He questioned Sheriff's political influence in Northern Nigeria.
"What is the political worth of Ali Modu Sheriff in the North to decide who the North will vote for? This is a man many Nigerians believe has spoken from both sides of the mouth over the years. He cannot arrogate to himself the authority to determine the political choices of millions of Northern voters," he argued.
NDC chieftain faults security record of Tinubu administration
Also reacting, Alkali Sunday, identified as a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) from Benue State, urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as Sheriff's "delusional and irrational" remarks.
According to him, the country is presently facing enormous security and economic challenges that require practical leadership rather than political rhetoric.
"With the current situation in the country, Nigeria needs a leader who will respond decisively to her problems, not a leader constrained to issuing press releases while citizens suffer," he said.
He lamented the recent wave of insecurity across different parts of the country.
"How can anyone defend the events of the past two weeks where bandits, kidnappers and other criminals have continued to terrorise communities? Families are being thrown into mourning while innocent Nigerians are dying in large numbers. Yet we have a government that continues to feed fat on taxpayers' money."
Responding to Sheriff's allegation that Obi was anti-North, Sunday argued that available political evidence did not support such a conclusion.
"It is on record that Peter Obi has consistently advocated the unity of Nigeria. He campaigned across Northern states and was received by many communities. President Tinubu himself did not campaign in any Southeast state during the 2023 election."
He further noted that Obi secured victories in several Northern areas during the 2023 presidential election.
"Peter Obi was already a former governor in 2023 when he won states in the North, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, including significant votes across parts of Northern Nigeria. Were those who voted for him not Northerners or Nigerians with over 6 million votes?" he asked.
ADC chieftain says Sheriff speaks only for himself
An ADC chieftain from Enugu State, Hon. Bright Onah, also dismissed Sheriff's comments, insisting that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to contest elective office.
"Nigeria is a federation of 36 states where freedom of expression is guaranteed. Ali Modu Sheriff has only one vote and cannot speak for over 240 million Nigerians," Onah stated.
He added that Atiku Abubakar's eligibility to contest the presidency is protected under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has every constitutional right to seek the office of President if he so desires. He is ARC'S Presidential flag bearer for the 2027 generation elections. Ultimately, Nigerians—not Ali Modu Sheriff—will decide who leads the country in 2027."
Analysts caution against ethnic rhetoric
Political analysts have also urged restraint in campaign rhetoric as the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum.
They observed that Sheriff's allegation portraying Peter Obi as anti-North remains unverified and warned against making sweeping ethnic claims capable of deepening political divisions.
According to them, Nigeria's democracy would benefit more from issue-based campaigns focused on security, economic recovery, job creation, constitutional reforms and national development than narratives capable of inflaming ethnic or regional sentiments.
They argued that politicians should avoid statements that may further polarise an already fragile national environment, stressing that healthy democratic competition should centre on policies, competence and leadership vision rather than identity politics.
With political alignments gradually taking shape ahead of the 2027 general election, analysts believe debates over zoning, constitutional rights, national unity and governance are likely to dominate the country's political discourse in the months ahead.
