"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 said.
Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria, has been advised to put his 2027 presidential ambition on hold by former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff. Sheriff, who made the call on Channels Television's Politics Today, cited an unwritten power-sharing arrangement among Nigeria's leaders as the reason. This agreement, according to him, was reached after the civil war to ensure regional balance in the country's leadership.
He explained that the North has just finished eight years in office, with President Bola Tinubu currently holding the reins. He insisted that it was the South's turn to produce the next president, and Atiku should therefore wait till 2031 when the North's turn comes around again. This means that, according to Sheriff, Atiku should wait for four years before making another bid for the presidency.
Sheriff was also critical of the presidential ambitions of Peter Obi, the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He dismissed Obi's chances, stating that Northerners would not vote for him. He claimed that the political landscape had changed, and Obi's past actions as governor of Anambra State had alienated him from Northern voters.
Sheriff further stated that some Northern politicians, including supporters of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, were unwilling to back any alliance involving Obi. He claimed that Kano people were telling Kwankwaso that they would support him if he ran for president, but not if he went with Peter Obi.
With these comments, Sheriff has joined the growing list of politicians who are weighing in on the 2027 general election. The opposition is already realigning and consulting with each other ahead of the big contest. It remains to be seen how these developments will play out.
Atiku Abubakar was Vice President of Nigeria under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007. Since then, he has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, vying for the presidency on multiple occasions. His decision to run in 2027 has sparked intense debate within the APC and beyond.
2027 Election
The 2027 general election is still two years away, but the opposition is already realigning and consulting with each other. Former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff has weighed in on the matter, advising Atiku Abubakar to shelve his presidential ambitions. Meanwhile, Peter Obi, the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), is facing stiff opposition from Northern politicians.
What's Next?
The 2027 general election is shaping up to be a hotly contested contest. With Atiku Abubakar's presidential ambitions put on hold, the stage is set for a fierce battle between the APC's President Bola Tinubu and other opposition candidates. It remains to be seen how these developments will play out in the coming months.