Former Borno State Governor and APC chieftain Ali Modu Sheriff has dismissed Peter Obi’s chances of winning the 2027 presidential election, claiming the former Labour Party presidential candidate will not secure support from Northern voters.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sheriff said he was unconcerned about Obi’s renewed presidential ambition despite the former Anambra State governor’s strong performance in the 2023 election.
Obi, who polled more than six million votes to finish third in the 2023 presidential race on the Labour Party platform, is seeking the presidency again in 2027 under the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“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 significant votes in states including Nasarawa and Plateau during the 2023 election, Sheriff argued that the political landscape had changed. He alleged that Obi, while serving as Anambra State governor, drove Northerners out of the state, a claim he did not substantiate during the interview.
Sheriff also said some supporters of Rabiu Kwankwaso had expressed opposition to any political alliance involving Obi.
The former Borno governor defended President Bola Tinubu against Obi’s repeated criticism over insecurity, insisting the President is making genuine efforts to improve security across the country. He pointed to Tinubu’s support for state police as part of measures to address the challenge.
According to Sheriff, Nigeria’s security problems predate the Tinubu administration and should not be blamed solely on the current government.
He also ruled out the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying the North should wait until 2031 before seeking the presidency again, in line with what he described as an understanding on regional power rotation following the civil war.
Sheriff expressed confidence that President Tinubu would win re-election in 2027 but said the APC would still work hard ahead of the polls.
The remarks were made during an interview on Channels Television, which first reported the story.
