Former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff has claimed that Peter Obi would leave any political party that refuses to present him as its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to Daily Post, Sheriff made the statement on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He argued that Peter Obi remains focused on his presidential ambition and would not stay in any political platform that blocks his path.
Sheriff said politicians with strong presidential ambitions often change parties whenever they fail to secure their party’s ticket. He insisted that such decisions are driven by personal political goals rather than loyalty to a political platform.
He said, “The point is that he, Peter Obi, is a candidate. People like him can never stay in one political party because he is pursuing an agenda. If he can’t be a presidential candidate, he would move out.”
Furthermore, Sheriff claimed that Obi had moved across different political parties over the years because of his desire to contest for Nigeria’s highest office. He maintained that the former Anambra State governor would likely repeat the same decision if another party denied him the opportunity to contest the presidency.
However, Sheriff stressed that his remarks were based on his assessment of Nigeria’s political environment. He argued that politicians often make strategic decisions whenever they believe another platform offers them a better chance of achieving their ambitions.
In addition, the former governor urged political leaders to place Nigeria’s unity above every regional or ethnic interest. He warned that anyone seeking to lead the country should always put national interest first rather than focusing on a particular region or state.
Sheriff also noted that political alignments could still change before the 2027 general election. As a result, he advised Nigerians to expect more negotiations and realignments among major political parties in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi has yet to respond publicly to Sheriff’s claims. The former Labour Party presidential candidate has repeatedly stated that his political decisions would focus on building a better Nigeria, although speculation about his next political move continues ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sheriff’s comments have already sparked fresh debate among political observers. Many believe discussions over party alliances, presidential tickets and possible defections will continue to dominate Nigeria’s political landscape as preparations for the next general election gather momentum.
