Former Borno State Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ali Modu Sheriff, has said northern voters are unlikely to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2027 election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday night, Sheriff argued that the North believes the presidency should remain in the Southern region after the completion of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
According to Sheriff, Atiku, despite being a respected and experienced politician, would have to wait until 2031 before seeking the presidency again because, in his view, the North is not next in line for the position.
He said the region’s position is that power should rotate back to the South after Buhari’s administration, adding that Atiku remains qualified but should delay his ambition.
On Peter Obi, Sheriff claimed that northern support for the former Anambra State governor would be difficult to secure, despite Obi having Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.
He alleged that some northern supporters of Kwankwaso would not back an alliance with Obi, citing concerns surrounding Obi’s past political decisions during his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
Sheriff maintained that the political calculations in the North have changed and insisted that the region would not support Obi’s presidential ambition in 2027.
