Former Borno State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ali Modu Sheriff, has cast doubt on Peter Obi’s prospects in the 2027 presidential election, declaring that the former Labour Party presidential candidate would struggle to secure support from Northern voters.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Sheriff said he was convinced that Obi would not receive the backing needed from the North to emerge victorious in the next presidential contest.
Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election after polling more than six million votes on the Labour Party platform, is widely expected to seek the presidency again in 2027 under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
However, Sheriff insisted that Obi’s chances remain slim.
“I am not worried about Peter Obi because I know Northerners will never vote for him,” the former governor stated.
When reminded that Obi secured significant votes in states such as Plateau and Nasarawa during the 2023 election, Sheriff argued that political realities had changed since then.
He further alleged that Obi’s actions as governor of Anambra State negatively affected his standing among Northern communities, a claim that has remained a subject of political debate.
Sheriff also claimed that supporters of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso were against any political alliance involving Kwankwaso and Obi ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to him, many of Kwankwaso’s loyalists would continue to support the former governor’s presidential ambition but would withdraw their backing if he aligned politically with Obi.
On national security, Sheriff defended President Bola Tinubu against criticism from opposition figures, including Obi, who has repeatedly challenged the administration over insecurity and called for stronger action to protect Nigerians.
The APC chieftain argued that the country’s security challenges predate Tinubu’s administration and should not be blamed solely on the current government.
He urged Nigerians to assess the President based on ongoing reforms, particularly efforts aimed at strengthening security through initiatives such as state policing.
Sheriff also dismissed the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 race, maintaining that the presidency should remain in the South until 2031 in line with the principle of regional balance.
While describing Atiku as a respected and qualified leader, he argued that the former Vice President should wait until the next power rotation cycle.
Expressing confidence in the APC’s chances, Sheriff predicted that President Tinubu would secure a second term in office in 2027, while stressing that the ruling party would continue to campaign actively rather than assume victory.
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