Ali Modu Sheriff, the former Governor of Borno State, has firmly rejected reports suggesting he accused Vice-President Kashim Shettima of being involved in the creation of Boko Haram. Sheriff has categorically stated that these claims are unfounded and serve only to mislead the public and tarnish Shettima’s reputation.
In a statement released by his Media Office titled “A Lie Taken Too Far: Shettima and Ali Modu Sheriff Are Not at War,” Sheriff expressed his dismay at the false narrative circulating in the media. He urged the public to disregard this misinformation.
The statement reads: “Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, a respected elder statesman and former Governor of Borno State, has been made aware of a malicious publication making the rounds online under the headline ‘It’s Not Me, It’s Shettima Who Created Boko Haram – Sheriff Reveals.’
“This story is a complete fabrication, lacking any truth, and is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, defame Senator Sheriff, and create unnecessary discord in our political landscape.
“Senator Sheriff categorically denies having made any such statement. He wishes to clarify that he has not granted any interviews or engaged with any journalists regarding this matter on the alleged date or at any other time.”
Sheriff denounced the false report as not only mischievous but also a dangerous form of fake news that threatens to undermine his long-standing contributions to peace, national unity, and development in both Borno State and Nigeria as a whole.
The statement further emphasised that Senator Sheriff remains steadfast in his commitment to Nigeria’s security and stability. He expressed regret that some individuals and platforms would resort to spreading falsehoods for cheap political gain or to attract unwarranted attention.
He urged the public and media to completely disregard this fabricated story and to refrain from further sharing or amplifying it. Sheriff has instructed his legal team to take immediate action to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for disseminating this defamatory material.
“If this false publication is not retracted and removed immediately, Senator Sheriff will not hesitate to seek full legal recourse. He is dedicated to upholding truth, justice, and accountability and will pursue justice rigorously to ensure that such reckless misinformation does not go unpunished,” the Media Office asserted.