2027: Atiku has to wait till 2031, it’s not North’s time now — Ali Modu Sheriff
Former Borno Governor Advocates for Southern Presidency
Former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff has urged ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar to reconsider his presidential aspirations for the 2027 election, asserting that it is the South’s turn to lead Nigeria.
Sheriff made the remarks on Monday during a segment of Channels Television’s Politics Today. He contended that Northern leaders would not support Atiku’s candidacy due to an unwritten power-sharing agreement established among Nigeria’s political figures.
“This unwritten regional arrangement arose after the civil war to ensure balanced leadership in the country,” Sheriff said. “Atiku’s moment is not now. It is the South’s turn after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office.”
While recognizing Atiku’s qualifications and status as a prominent Northern leader, Sheriff suggested that he should postpone his ambitions until 2031. “It’s currently the South’s time,” he reiterated.
Sheriff expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would secure a second term in 2027, though he emphasized that the All Progressives Congress (APC) must remain vigilant as the election approaches.
He also dismissed the presidential prospects of Peter Obi, the candidate from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), stating that Obi would likely lack support from Northern voters. “I am not worried about Peter Obi at all because I know that Northerners will never vote for him,” Sheriff asserted.
When reminded that Obi received significant votes in Northern states like Nasarawa and Plateau during the 2023 election, Sheriff claimed that the political landscape has shifted. “The situation is different now,” he said, alleging that Obi’s tenure as Anambra governor alienated Northern constituents.
Sheriff also noted that some Northern political figures, including supporters of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, are opposed to any alliance involving Obi. “Kano people have told Kwankwaso that while they will support him for president, they will not back any coalition with Peter Obi,” he stated.
Sheriff’s comments reflect the ongoing political realignments and consultations among opposition figures as they prepare for the upcoming 2027 general election.