By Busola Samuel
Nigerian youth have indicated their support for Modu Sheriff to be the next national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), soared Sunday with more Nigerians now coming out on the social and mainstream media to associate with him.
Recall that some politicians within the All Progressives party (APC) had alleged that the two-term governor and senator was a sponsor of Boko Haram terrorists when he left for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, Sheriff in an interview with AIT on why he failed to respond to the allegation, said the wisdom in his silence was to enable unhindered investigation by authorities.
“I don’t know Yusuf, who is the leader and founder of Boko Haram. I have never met him until he was arrested by the military…in detention in the military barracks. He was never brought to the Government House, contrary to speculations.
“And look, Boko Haram sect meted the highest terror on me. If I am a Boko Haram member or sponsor; my brother was killed, the chairman of my party was killed, my cousin was killed, six of my closest friends were killed. Therefore, how could I be a Boko Haram sponsor and I am also a target? Does it make any sense to you?”
On why he kept quiet for long despite being a major victim.
“I decided to keep quiet at a time because, after leaving office, I want to allow the government, since I have left office, to do their investigations to find out whether I am linked to Boko Haram or not as speculated on the pages of the newspaper. No responsible government in this world will allow any terrorist to go free. And how can I be a sponsor to somebody that I don’t know? Does it make sense to you that somebody I don’t know, I will be his sponsor? I have no link at all with Boko Haram.”
On the privilege he had to know them as governor:
“What I know in record, as the Chief Securing Officer, is to be used by security. Getting security report is different from knowing the individuals. And we used the security report to do what we did.
“I created a law banning them, which is the reason I became a target of their terror activities. I also deported some of the Nigeriens who were members, particularly Abubakari Kilakema, who was deported to Niger. I took every step as Chief Security Officer of the state to ensure that Boko Haram do not operated in my domain.”
On the ‘political Boko Haram’ fingered at him:
“The political Boko Haram that people refer to are facing court charges. You can see that there is a senator of the Federal Republic now, who is now facing charges in court. Therefore, nobody, the law of Nigeria is not protective of anybody.”
On his invitation by the DSS, Ali Modu Sheriff said his invitation by DSS was never in connection with Boko Haram.
“I told you that I was never invited by the DSS in connection with Boko Haram,” the short interview concluded.
After listening to this interview in 2014, 2016 and mid-January this year, 2022, Ali Modu Sheriff’s support base has soared with many positive reactions trickled in.
Some of these reactions are coming from a cross section of the Nigerian Youth, who have expressed their regrets, admitting that they have long been misled to believe that he was a sponsor of Boko Haram.
Read the reactions below:
Yakub Aliyu said: “Boko Haram even killed his anointed successor, Alhaji Modu Fannami Gubio, ANPP governorship candidate for Borno State in 2011.”
Zakariya Mohammed Abubakar said: “I listen to SAS am impressed”.
Comr Oriabioje Onyebike Destiny said: “SAS Is The Man”.
Opening up on where his problem lies, Sheriff’s support, Salihu Isah said, “SAS ambition to become national chairman would be sabotaged from Borno and even some Northeastern states due to silent feud between him and an immediate past Governor of Borno who has immeasurable influence on the present governor.”
Some other Nigerians said they were now convinced and no sabotage against Sheriff will succeed.
Zakariya Mohammed Abubakar said: “Salihu Isah every sabotage against him must fail”.
Nnenna Agbai said: “Salihu Isah Go and check again. Most of those talking are not politically updated. That’s why politicians understand the game more than us.”
Zakaria said: “That’s true they have as well said it on pmb but today all history. Thank you for the video.”
Dr. Dandy Eruogu said: “Every blackmail against him must fail.”
Their response was sequel to Nnenna’s analytical post, which summared Sheriff’s press conference on AIT and TV360’s exclusive interview:
“Video 1: Senator Ali Modu Sheriff in 2014. Video 2: Senator Ali Modu Sheriff in 2016. ME: Those who labelled him, also labelled PMB then. I was never deceived by them on PMB and can never be deceived by them on Sheriff. #Dazzol”, she said.
With these and many more of the truths now coming alive, undaunted Nigerians who believe in justice, fair play and that allegations should not come but with proofs, are saying “2022 APC National Championship for Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is a done deal”.
