Former Borno State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ali Modu Sheriff, has dismissed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that it is not the North’s turn to produce Nigeria’s next president.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Sheriff stated that the North would not support Atiku’s presidential bid because it is the turn of the South.
According to him, Nigeria’s political leaders reached an understanding after the civil war to ensure regional balance in the country’s leadership.
“After the civil war our leaders have said that there will no longer be this situation in Nigeria, there is a regional agreement. For Atiku, it’s not our time now. He is on his own because it is the turn for the South. Buhari just finished 8 years,” Sheriff said.
He further suggested that while Atiku is qualified, he should postpone his ambitions. “If Atiku wants to be president he can wait, he is a leader in Northern Nigeria, he is eminently qualified but it is not our time now, he has to wait till 2031. That is the time for the North, for now, it is time for the South.”
Sheriff expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would secure re-election in 2027, though he noted that the APC would not take anything for granted and would work hard ahead of the polls.
