2027: Northerners Won’t Vote For Peter Obi, Sheriff Declares

According to reports, Sheriff stated that Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party (LP), would struggle to secure widespread support from voters in Northern Nigeria.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the former governor said he was confident that the APC would retain the presidency in 2027 while defending President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly its efforts in tackling insecurity.

Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential race with more than six million votes, is expected to seek the presidency again in 2027, reportedly under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

However, Sheriff said he was not concerned about Obi’s potential candidacy, insisting that Northern voters would not support him.

“I am not worried about Peter Obi because I know Northerners will never vote for him,” Sheriff said.

When reminded that Obi secured significant votes in states such as Plateau and Nasarawa during the last election, Sheriff argued that political circumstances had changed.

He alleged that Obi’s record as Anambra State governor had affected his acceptance among some Northern voters, claiming that Northerners were allegedly pushed out of the state during his tenure.

The APC chieftain also spoke about a possible alliance between former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Obi, claiming that supporters of Kwankwaso would oppose such a move.

According to Sheriff, some Kwankwaso supporters believe they would continue backing the former Kano governor if he contests independently but would not support him if he forms an alliance with Obi.

On security challenges in the country, Sheriff criticised Obi’s calls for President Tinubu to resign if his administration could not guarantee the safety of Nigerians.

He argued that insecurity was a longstanding issue that did not begin with the current administration, urging Nigerians to judge the government based on its policies and reforms, including the proposed establishment of state police.

Sheriff also dismissed the possibility of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar winning the 2027 presidential election, arguing that political power should remain in the South until 2031 based on an alleged understanding of regional balance.

While acknowledging Atiku’s experience and qualifications, Sheriff said the former vice president should wait until 2031, noting that former President Muhammadu Buhari completed eight years in office.

The former governor expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure another term in 2027, but stressed that the APC would not become complacent and would continue working hard to win the support of Nigerians.