2027: Group rejects Sheriff’s inclusion in Tinubu campaign council

A support group mobilising grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 has threatened to suspend its voluntary campaign activities if former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, retains his position in the All Progressives Congress , APC, presidential campaign structure.

The Grassroots Movement for Tinubu Continuity Come 2027 issued the warning in a formal complaint dated August 25, 2026, addressed to the APC National Chairman, with a copy forwarded to the Presidency.

The group’s objection centres on Sheriff’s appointment as the North-East Zonal Campaign Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.

National Chairman of the group, Comrade Sani Ahmad Zangina, said the organisation remained committed to Tinubu’s re-election but could not continue its grassroots mobilisation under what he described as the current arrangement.

“Our support for Mr President remains unwavering, but we cannot continue to offer voluntary support under an arrangement that places Senator Ali Modu Sheriff at the forefront of the campaign in the North-East,” Zangina said.

He said the group’s concerns were linked to longstanding allegations that had associated Sheriff with Boko Haram, arguing that the allegations could influence public perception and affect the confidence of grassroots supporters in the region.

According to him, the allegations, although denied by Sheriff, could become a political liability for the APC and the President’s re-election campaign if the former governor remains in a prominent campaign position.

Mr Sheriff has consistently denied any involvement in or sponsorship of Boko Haram, describing such allegations as unfounded.

Mr Zangina said the group was not claiming that Sheriff had been convicted of any offence, but maintained that the history of the allegations and their possible political consequences should be taken into consideration in determining who occupies sensitive positions within the President’s campaign structure.

The group’s position comes shortly after another pro-Tinubu organisation, the Nigeria Rescue & Renewal Movement, NRRM, raised concerns over Sheriff’s inclusion in the APC campaign structure.

The NRRM had called for a review of the campaign council, citing concerns over transparency, accountability and public confidence in the appointment of campaign officials.

The Grassroots Movement, however, went further by threatening to withdraw its voluntary mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election if Sheriff retained his position.

“Unless his name is dropped from among the frontiers of President Tinubu’s campaign structure, our votes and that of every member under our team shall be withdrawn from any further voluntary activities for the re-election of Mr President in the 2027 general elections,” the group said.

It urged the APC leadership to reconsider Sheriff’s appointment, warning that his continued role could affect the morale and effectiveness of grassroots mobilisation efforts across the North-East.

The group, however, stressed that its objection was directed specifically at Sheriff’s role in the campaign structure and did not amount to a rejection of Tinubu’s re-election bid.

It reaffirmed its support for the President and said it remained committed to mobilising Nigerians at the grassroots for his return to office in 2027.

The organisation said it would continue to monitor developments surrounding the APC campaign council and engage the party’s leadership on issues it considers critical to effective grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.