Why Peter Obi cannot become Nigeria’s president in 2027 — Ali Modu Sheriff

Former Borno State governor and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has explained why he believes Peter Obi will struggle to win Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, arguing that the former Anambra State governor lacks the broad national support needed to secure victory.

Sheriff made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, where he also defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, praised the removal of fuel subsidy, and urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to respect the principle of power rotation by shelving any presidential ambition until after 2031.

His comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the January 2027 general election, with Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obi of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Atiku of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) widely seen as leading contenders for Nigeria’s highest office.

Sheriff said he was convinced that Peter Obi would struggle to win substantial support across Northern Nigeria, insisting that the region would play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the election.

According to him, Obi has repeatedly criticised President Tinubu’s administration but has failed to publicly condemn the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which Sheriff accused of pursuing Nigeria’s disintegration.

“Peter Obi never condemned, up till today, those in Eastern Nigeria who wanted to divide the country and called for sit-at-home. I am not worried about Peter Obi at all because I know Northerners will never vote for Peter Obi. They have known better now,” Sheriff said.

The former governor also alleged that Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State created resentment among many Northerners, claiming this would affect his electoral prospects in the region.

Sheriff further claimed that some political stakeholders in Kano had expressed reservations about supporting any presidential ticket involving Obi. These are allegations made by Sheriff during the interview and have not been independently verified.

The APC chieftain also questioned Obi’s movement across different political parties, arguing that politicians seeking Nigeria’s presidency should demonstrate consistency and commitment to national unity rather than pursue what he described as sectional political interests.

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He maintained that anyone aspiring to lead Nigeria must build trust across all regions, religions and ethnic groups, stressing that the country’s diversity requires inclusive leadership and broad-based political alliances.

Responding to recent criticisms of President Tinubu by Obi over insecurity and economic hardship, Sheriff defended the administration’s policies.

He described the removal of fuel subsidy as one of the most important economic decisions taken by the current government, arguing that it prevented Nigeria from facing severe fiscal challenges.

According to Sheriff, the policy has significantly increased monthly allocations to state governments, giving governors more resources to invest in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and other developmental projects.

He noted that some states now receive monthly allocations running into tens of billions of naira, compared with what many states received over several years before the subsidy removal.

On insecurity, Sheriff acknowledged that security remains a constitutional responsibility of the Federal Government but argued that state governments also have important roles to play.

He said governors, local government authorities, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders must work together with federal security agencies to tackle insecurity effectively.

According to him, Nigeria’s security challenges predate the Tinubu administration and should not be blamed solely on the President.

Sheriff also commented on the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing him as qualified to lead Nigeria but insisting that the country should continue to observe the informal principle of rotating the presidency between the North and the South.

He argued that following former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure, the South should be allowed to complete another eight years before power returns to the North.

“Atiku Abubakar is eminently qualified to be president, but this is not the North’s turn,” Sheriff said.

Expressing confidence in the ruling party, Sheriff said the APC would intensify its mobilisation efforts to secure President Tinubu’s re-election.

He described democracy as “a game of numbers” and said the ruling party would not take victory for granted despite its confidence.

Sheriff added that he enjoys regular access to President Tinubu and would continue to offer what he considers sincere advice whenever necessary.

Sheriff’s comments are expected to generate fresh debate within Nigeria’s political landscape as parties continue consultations, coalition talks and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.

While his remarks reflect his personal assessment of the race, they also highlight the key issues likely to shape political discourse in the coming months, including national unity, security, economic reforms, regional support and the principle of power rotation.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Peter Obi nor the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had issued an official response to Sheriff’s remarks.

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Why Peter Obi cannot become Nigeria’s president in 2027 — Ali Modu Sheriff

Sokoto: 2023 PDP governorship candidate defects to APC

The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Malam Sa’idu Umar Ubandoma, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), attributing his decision to the leadership of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and the performance of Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

The high-profile defection is widely seen as a significant boost for the APC in Sokoto and another major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties continue to reposition themselves across the country.

Ubandoma, a former Commissioner for Finance and Secretary to the Sokoto State Government under former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was formally received into the APC by Senator Wamakko at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Wamakko’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bashar Abubakar.

Welcoming the former opposition governorship candidate into the APC, Wamakko described the defection as evidence of the party’s growing acceptance among political stakeholders and residents of Sokoto State.

According to the former governor, the decision by prominent political figures to join the APC reflects increasing confidence in the party’s leadership and commitment to the development of the state.

“This defection is a significant boost to our party and a clear demonstration of the confidence that political leaders continue to have in the APC’s leadership and development agenda,” Wamakko said.
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He assured Ubandoma and his supporters of fairness, inclusion and equal opportunities within the ruling party, stressing that the APC remains open to every citizen committed to promoting peace, unity and sustainable development in Sokoto State.

“The APC is a home for all well-meaning citizens who are genuinely committed to the unity, peace and development of Sokoto State. You and your supporters will enjoy a warm reception and equal opportunities within the party,” he added.

Explaining why he left the PDP, Ubandoma said he was impressed by Senator Wamakko’s political maturity, inclusive leadership style and the developmental projects being executed by Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration.

According to him, the government’s investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, rural development and social welfare have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of residents across the state.

“I was inspired by the quality of leadership and political maturity demonstrated by Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, as well as the remarkable performance of Governor Ahmed Aliyu in delivering people-oriented projects across Sokoto State,” he said.

Ubandoma maintained that the administration’s achievements across key sectors convinced him that the APC offers the most credible platform to sustain development, economic growth and prosperity in Sokoto State.

“The achievements recorded across critical sectors convinced me that the APC remains the most credible platform to sustain the development and prosperity of Sokoto State,” he stated.

Ubandoma contested the 2023 Sokoto State governorship election on the platform of the PDP before later aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following internal disagreements within the opposition party. He is regarded as one of the prominent political associates of former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, making his latest move one of the most notable political developments in the state in recent months.

Political observers believe the defection could strengthen the APC’s influence in Sokoto ahead of the 2027 elections while further weakening the opposition’s political structure in the state.

The development also reflects the growing wave of defections and political realignments across Nigeria, with several politicians changing party affiliations as preparations gradually gather momentum for the next electoral cycle.

Analysts say such movements are expected to shape alliances, determine party strategies and influence electoral calculations as political parties intensify efforts to consolidate their support base before the 2027 general elections.

Sokoto: 2023 PDP governorship candidate defects to APC

Ogun 2027: Group Rejects Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Endorses Adebutu

A political pressure group, Ogun West Concerned Stakeholders’ Conference, has rejected the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) ahead of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election, arguing that only aspirants with verifiable local roots and a longstanding commitment to the region should represent Ogun West.

The group, however, threw its weight behind the governorship aspiration of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, describing him as a true son of Ogun State whose ancestry and political journey are closely tied to the state.

Addressing journalists in Ilaro on Thursday, the group’s spokesperson, Hakeem Adetunji, said the organisation, which he claimed has about 5,000 members across Ogun West, was compelled to respond to what it described as attempts to portray opponents of Senator Adeola’s ambition as enemies of the district.

According to Adetunji, the group’s opposition to Adeola is rooted in his alleged lack of historical involvement in the political struggles of Ogun West and what it described as his failure to support previous governorship aspirations from the senatorial district.

Ogun West Concerned Stakeholders’ Conference

“We are here to rewrite our story because, over time, people have called us bastards simply because we do not support Senator Olamilekan Adeola’s governorship ambition,” he said.

He argued that during the 2011 governorship election involving the late General Adetunji Olurin and the 2015 election in which Gboyega Isiaka (GNI) contested, Senator Adeola was not part of the political movement for Ogun West.

Adetunji further alleged that in 2019, Adeola worked against the region’s governorship interest and repeated the same pattern in 2023 by opposing the candidacy of Biyi Otegbeye, who emerged as the sole governorship candidate from Ogun West.

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According to him, the senator allegedly deployed his political influence, resources and network to frustrate Otegbeye’s ambition in pursuit of his own governorship aspiration.

He maintained that the issue extends beyond politics, insisting that Ogun West deserves a candidate who shares the history, identity and aspirations of its people.

“Today, some people expect us to forget where we are coming from and abandon our history. We cannot do that. Senator Adeola does not share our historical background or political journey. That is why some of us cannot align with his governorship ambition,” Adetunji stated.

The group consequently endorsed Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, saying his family roots and connection with Ogun State make him a more suitable choice to lead the state.

“Some of us have identified with the aspiration of Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu because we see him as one of us,” he added.

Another member of the conference, Adeshola Hakeem, also questioned Senator Adeola’s claim to Ogun West, alleging that the lawmaker only identified with the district after relocating his political interest from Lagos State.

He argued that governorship representation should not be determined solely by political popularity but also by genuine community identity, historical contribution and consistent grassroots engagement.

The group’s position comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Ogun West intensifying its longstanding campaign to produce the state’s next governor.

However, Kayode Odunaro, media adviser to Senator Adeola, dismissed the allegations, describing the conference as a faceless group pursuing a political agenda.

Odunaro maintained that the senator’s indigeneship is well established and no longer a matter for public debate, insisting that Adeola remains qualified to contest the governorship election under Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.

The latest criticism follows Governor Dapo Abiodun’s endorsement of Senator Adeola as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus governorship candidate for Ogun West after consultations with party leaders across the senatorial district.

Governor Abiodun had said the decision was aimed at ensuring Ogun West, which has never produced a democratically elected governor since the state’s creation in 1976, finally gets the opportunity to occupy the state’s highest political office.

As political alignments continue ahead of the 2027 election, debates over indigeneship, zoning, political loyalty and regional equity are expected to remain central issues in Ogun State’s governorship race.

Ogun 2027: Group Rejects Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Endorses Adebutu