By Atiku Galadima, Maiduguri
The Northeast Coalition for Truth, Justice and Responsible Leadership (NECTJRL) has rejected a petition seeking the exclusion of former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 campaign structure.
The coalition said excluding Sheriff would be counterproductive to efforts to build a broad political coalition for Tinubu’s re-election, particularly in the Northeast.
Chairman of the coalition, Alhaji Abba Chamma Habib, stated this in Maiduguri on Friday during a press briefing. He described the petition as politically motivated and an attempt to create division among supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, Sheriff has the political experience, relationships and networks required to contribute to mobilisation for the 2027 election.
He noted that Sheriff had served as governor of Borno State on two occasions, represented the state in the Senate and was national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).Habib explained that Sheriff’s political relationships extended beyond Borno, adding that leaders with experience and knowledge of the political terrain should be brought together rather than excluded.
He said the Northeast, particularly Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states, needed effective political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election.
The chairman lamented attempts to create divisions among political actors, saying personal political differences should not be allowed to weaken the coalition required for Tinubu’s re-election.
“If you genuinely support President Tinubu, then help build his political coalition. Do not destroy it,” he stated.
He warned against using petitions to settle political scores, saying anyone with a genuine complaint against Sheriff should use appropriate institutions and channels to address it.
Habib reaffirmed the coalition’s support for Sheriff’s continued role in the political affairs of the Northeast and in mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election.
He said the group respected Sheriff’s political experience and contribution to Borno and the Northeast, insisting that his political history and relationships could not be erased by a petition.“Ali Modu Sheriff is above this petition,” he stated.
