Sheriff says North won't vote Obi, tells Atiku to wait till 2031 for presidency
Former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff told Channels Television's Politics Today on Monday night (July 5, 2026) that Northerners will never vote for Peter Obi, even with Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate in the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Sheriff also said Atiku Abubakar should wait until 2031 to run for president, stating it's now the South's turn after Buhari's eight-year term.
Sheriff claimed Northerners reject Obi due to his time as Anambra State governor when he allegedly pushed Northerners out of the state - a claim Kwankwaso's supporters are now hearing from Kano residents. He added that President Bola Tinubu's current term means the South's turn continues until 2031.
These comments come as over 60,000 ADC members reportedly defected to APC in Kebbi State, and Sheriff's ally Aliyu dumped the ADC for APC, claiming the party lacks a credible rescue plan for Nigeria. Sheriff separately praised Tinubu's efforts to move Nigeria forward.
Why this matters: Sheriff's statements reflect perceived Northern-Southern political tensions ahead of 2027 elections, potentially influencing how Northern voters view Southern candidates and shaping party strategies. His claims about Obi's governorship tenure, while unverified here, feed into regional voting narratives.
What should you consider: With Northern voter perceptions potentially shaping 2027 outcomes, how might statements like Sheriff's affect your evaluation of candidates' national appeal versus regional appeal when making political choices?