National Chairmanship: Why APC needs Modu Sheriff at the helm of affairs

National Chairmanship: Why APC needs Modu Sheriff at the helm of affairs

By: James Bwala, Maiduguri

The general elections in 2023 is not going to be business as usual as gladiators are well equipped with information about the intrigues and getting prepared for any eventuality. Unlike in the past or how it goes way back in2019. This time it would not go around Baba Buhari as in the wake of 2015 where Nigerians irrespective of regions and clans march for one man. If that would not happen again, then the All Progressive Congress, APC needs to start looking out for an experienced hand to handle the matters of the party. NEWSng reports that, while it was rumoured that four former governors are on the bench for the job, there is no stronger contender for this position if the Borno king maker and political Czar, Senator (Dr.) Ali Modu Sheriff decides to hunt for this job.

It is true that Modu Sheriff is a stabilizing factor. A man with long lists of political pedigree than anyone to stand for this position in Nigeria’s history as at today. Modu Sheriff has held this position before in two capacities both with ANPP and PDP and has demonstrated leadership and total quality management. Ali Modu Sheriff has raised so many godsons politically and by extension hundreds of grandsons politically. It would not be out of place for these political children to push him towards saving the political future of the APC at these crucial moments ahead of the 2023 general elections. Perhaps, it is time also for all politicians in Borno irrespective of party to rally themselves towards bringing the good tiding to Borno state and make history again.

His appointment as the “Patron of Frontier for Quality Leadership and Good Governance” was a testament that Ali Modu Sheriff is a man that can be trusted to lead APC in the next season for the party to continue to prosper. The appointment therefore was no surprise to many who knew Modu Sheriff for his role in building leaders across the country. Perhaps this was also the beginning of good things to come for APC because this award was not only a recognition for Modu Sheriff but also for APC, for Borno state and for Nigeria. The letter, which was presented to Modu Sheriff on Wednesday 8th September, 2021 at his Abuja Office drives a lot of comments and praises, which qualifies Modu Sheriff for respect.

While speaking with a cross section of Nigerians on the possibility of good things to happen if Ali Modu Sheriff should lead the APC, their reactions were spontaneously and agreeable pointing to one direction. According to them, the man is a game changer and his achievements are playing in records of history that are still relevant and being celebrated more than 10 years after he left the Maiduguri Government House as a jinx breaker, the first time in the history of Borno state. If given the open door and Modu Sheriff takes the flag surely it will be a sign and sound of melody to come for the All Progressive Congress, APC.

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Mr. Lawan Hassan, a political analyst per excellence and champion for good governance in his right, shared this thought with NEWSng in Abuja. He pointed out an unarguable position one can hardly debate on about the former governor of Borno state. According to Lawan, “His love for Nigeria as well as his standing on raising people from the grassroots to stand on their feet both in the political circles and business environment has separated Modu Sheriff from many top politicians in the country. He has been the envy of all. I want you to know that he has been a crowd puller since his days as a young politician in Maiduguri and still very relevant in this circle.”

Mr. Lawan said SAS as he is fondly called is always the man of the moment. “In as much as Sheriff has many political enemies who are envious of his style, one cannot deny the fact that his good deeds are coming back to him and good always prevails over evil. You know that no one can dispute the fact that former governor of Borno and three times senator of the federal republic, Senator Ali Mudi Sheriff is a king maker that history will continue to reckon with.

“Speak of any politician dead or alive in Borno state, one fact remains that there is a Sheriff’s hand in the making of such a politician. All of them from their rising whether as a political godson or grandson have his trade mark along their path to greatness. This is a known fact and if anyone can argue these facts we can name these Politicians and I believe that you also know them. From 1999 to date, name any politician in Borno state and I can tell you his connections with Modu Sheriff.”

According to him, despite being born with a silver spoon, the former Borno state governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is a’ self-made man’. ‘A fearless business man and an astute politician, who enjoys giving privileges to people and raising human capital as to touching the lives of those who come across him in the struggles of life. Often misunderstood by the very people, who became millionaires through their associations with him. But Modu Sheriff remains the power and respect in the theatre of arguments amongst those who raised millionaires in Borno state.” Mr. Lawan added

Also Imam Ibrahim imam, a journalist and a keen follower of events and unfolding political realities in Borno state recalled that,  “For those who had witness the return of democracy in Nigeria since1999 and particularly politics in Borno state, where would you have placed those politicians who calls themselves the elites of Borno in today’s political square?” He asked

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“I recalled an argument amongst my colleagues, the media practitioners in Borno state at the Borno Radio and Television house (BRTV) in Maiduguri, where a colleague was making comparison on the man (Modu Sheriff) and that also informed my decision to keep a keen eye on his programmes since 2003. That was when I first came close to Modu Sheriff and since then I can confirm to you the claims that he was the reason for the levitation of all key political classes in Borno today. I know all the senators past and present as well as representatives of Borno people in the house were in one way or the other made by the Sheriff. “Imam said .

Talking about raising men to power. He continued, “Modu Sheriff is a multiplying effect that is why I am confident that he can make a difference if he comes on board for the succeeding journey for APC. And for me, Borno state people should be calling him out by now and I supposed that the government and both the executive and legislatives of Borno should begin to speak with one voice and call Modu Sheriff out to pilot the party at National level.”

While he agrees that Ali Modu Sheriff has done wonderfully in the political space and deserve to lead the APC as the country heads to 2023, Dr. Idris Mohammed, a commentator on political happenings in Nigeria told NEWSng that, “Unfortunately many of them (Politically made by Modu Sheriff) were politically power drunk today and forgetting the hand that steer help for them to attain their current position. But that is part of the game. I saw the man recently and he was doing great. You never can tell whether or not he was not holding any position.”

He said he was in the picture of the buildup of Modu Sheriff’s political empire, “I have seen and witnessed in the corridor of power how mean and mindless politicians fall over themselves to get SAS attention. I also witness how other political hangers on and errand boys beat one and another to please their master’s master in their struggles to be recognized and attain to positions.

“Today, many of them are the same people trying to fight the Sheriff but a Boss is always a Boss. When I was told of some of them and reflected on their humble beginning I pity how they would end their journey politically because they have betrayed trust. It is a lesson that one should know that you do not bite the finger that fed you but in politics it is always the way round. The good thing is that Modu Sheriff is a big name and still at the centre of political circles across the country. No one takes that away from him,”

Faruk Muslim Kailani in a chat with NEWSng observed that, the rise of Ali Modu Sheriff from a political moving train to political godfather remains the dream many politicians wished to attend. He said not only in Borno state, but also across the country for those who have seen or heard of the Sheriff’s game of power. “No wonder many attempts to smear him (SAS) into crises and conflicts that befallen the state but he came out clean in all. Today many Nigerians are aware that all the attack on Modu Sheriff was an attempt to clean a name engraved on a rock, which is not possible.”

He said “Sometime ago when rumour bagan to filter about Ali Modu Sheriff’s body language to seek election as the APC National Chairman as well as when SAS first stormed the APC Secretariat to meet with governor Mai Mala Buni, the Caretaker Chairman of the party, many felt that was a good move. But the Sheriff remained like the reluctant bride. While the words are still flying in anticipation to see his moves these days, he remained more focused and attended to businesses rather than political meetings. However his silence has sent shivers down the spine of many politicians hoping to contest against him if he makes up his mind.”

Mustapha Gambo, a politician at a vintage point added his voice. According to him, “Ali Modu Sheriff is a “stabilizing force” the All Progressives Congress (APC) needs as national chairman. Although Sheriff has not declared his intention to run, there are rumours making the rounds that he will if the chairmanship position is given to the north.”

Gambo said Sheriff, a former governor of Borno, has the needed experience to govern the party. “The APC needs a stabilizing force and with due respect to all those reported to be nursing ambition to vie for the chairmanship of our party, none of them comes close to what His Excellency, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff brings to the table. Apart from being the first governor to be elected twice as governor of Borno state, he was elected three times to the federal parliament as senator representing Borno senatorial district at different political epochs,” he said.

“He was chairman, board of trustees of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, one of the parties that later merged with others to form the APC. He became the national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, owing primarily to his vast political appeal across the board. Where are we likely to find a man like this, if one may ask? To the best of our knowledge, he (Sheriff) is the only one going round the country, interfacing with members and leaders of the party at the grassroots level in preparation for this weekend’s local government congresses to be held nationwide.

“APC requires a man of vision, foresight and courage to take charge of party affairs at this critical time of our national life. What awaits us in 2023 is huge and with President Muhammadu Buhari out of the ballot for the first time in eight years, the party can’t afford to experiment with its national leadership.”

National Chairmanship: Why APC needs Modu Sheriff at the helm of affairs