Supporters of former Borno State Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, led by Isa Aminu, have defended his appointment as the party’s North-East Zonal Campaign Coordinator, saying he is prepared to use his political experience to deliver victory for the APC in the 2027 elections.

Also, the Northeast Coalition for Truth, Justice and Responsible Leadership (NCTJRL) led by Alhaji Abba Habib, has drummed support for Sheriff over the appointment, describing the petition calling for his exclusion from the body as an attempt to weaken an experienced Northeast leader and create unnecessary division among people.

The supporters also dismissed allegations linking Sheriff to Boko Haram, describing the claims as an attempt to undermine his political influence in the North-East.

They were reacting to criticisms of Sheriff’s appointment by the Nigeria Rescue & Renewal Movement (NRRM).

In a statement signed by Aminu, the supporters said Sheriff had consistently denied any connection with Boko Haram, insisting that allegations against him should not be treated as established facts without evidence.

“Ali Modu Sheriff neither founded, funded nor fraternised with Boko Haram— directly or indirectly,” the statement said.

According to the group, Sheriff was himself among the political figures affected by the insurgency in Borno State.

The supporters argued that Sheriff’s longstanding political influence in the North-East was responsible for attempts to question his suitability for the campaign assignment.

“For decades, Sheriff has been a major force in North-East politics,” they said, adding that he had built political networks across the six states of the region and supported the emergence of several political leaders.

They also cited Sheriff’s relationship with Vice President Kashim Shettima, saying the former governor supported Shettima’s early political trajectory after he left banking for public service and politics.

The supporters described Sheriff as a “political godfather and one of the most influential figures in North-East politics,” saying his experience and grassroots connections would be valuable to the APC’s 2027 campaign.

On its part, the NCTJRL said the APC is a one family with no polarisation.”

Members of the group, who converged on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) centre in Maiduguri on Friday, said they could not remain silent while individuals hide behind the name of a so-called grassroots movement to launch what they consider a politically motivated attack on Sheriff.

Speaking on their behalf, Habib said: “The recent petition calling for the exclusion of Sheriff from the campaign structure for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election is, in our view, an attempt to weaken an experienced Northeast leader and create unnecessary division among people who should be working together.

“We are therefore making our position clear: Ali Modu Sheriff is above this politically motivated petition.

“The people behind this petition should understand a simple political reality: a winning national campaign cannot afford to deliberately push away experienced leaders with established relationships, political networks and the ability to mobilise support across different parts of the country.

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“President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign will require unity and strong political mobilisation across Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast. Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and the wider northern political space require leaders who understand the people, the political terrain and the realities of mobilisation. Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is one of those leaders.

“His political relationships go beyond Borno State. His years in national politics have given him a broad understanding of Nigeria’s political landscape. Therefore, those genuinely committed to President Tinubu’s re-election should be asking how experienced political leaders can be brought together, not how they can be excluded.

“If the political objective is truly Tinubu Continuity 2027, then every individual with the capacity to contribute to the campaign should be encouraged to participate. Personal political differences should not be allowed to weaken the coalition required for a successful national campaign.” (Guardian)