The Northern Youths Frontiers (NYF), has rejected the appointment of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the North-East Zonal Coordinator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, describing the decision as a potential political and reputational vulnerability.
The NYF, which says it has been mobilising youth support for the Tinubu/Kashim 2027 project across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, maintains that the composition of the campaign council must reflect the confidence, expectations and sensitivities of the electorate whose support the campaign seeks.
In a statement by its North-West Zonal Coordinator, Saminu Tukur, the organisation acknowledged that Sheriff had denied allegations and controversies associated with aspects of his political career.
Tukur stressed that while allegations should not be treated as convictions and questions of criminal responsibility remain matters for competent legal institutions, campaign appointments have political and reputational consequences.
He said: “The presidential campaign is not a courtroom. Campaign appointments carry political and reputational consequences. Individuals occupying prominent positions become part of the public face of the campaign and are expected to command confidence, communicate the candidate’s message effectively and assist in building broad-based support.
“The central question, therefore, is whether Senator Sheriff’s appointment adds sufficient strategic value to the Tinubu/Kashim campaign to justify the controversy surrounding it.
“NYF’s assessment is that the APC should not assume that political experience alone is sufficient justification for retaining an appointment that has generated significant public concern. The North-East, and indeed the wider Northern region, has endured enormous human, social and economic consequences from the insurgency.
“Communities have lost loved ones, homes, farms, businesses, schools and years of economic opportunity. For millions of young Northerners, the consequences of the crisis are not distant political history; they remain part of the social and economic reality of their generation.
“NYF believes political mobilisation in the North requires particular sensitivity to public perception and historical experience.”
He notes that public discussions concerning Senator Sheriff have repeatedly referenced the Galtimari Committee, political developments in Borno State during the period preceding the escalation of the insurgency, allegations made by individuals concerning the insurgency, and reported investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He stresses that these issues must be reported responsibly and distinguished between documented findings, allegations, denials and matters that have not been judicially established.
He added, “But the existence of continuing controversy is itself a legitimate political consideration when determining who should occupy a highly visible campaign position. The APC is preparing for a presidential election in which campaign credibility, message discipline and grassroots mobilisation will be critical.
“The party will need to communicate its record on security, employment, infrastructure, education, economic opportunity and the welfare of young Nigerians. NYF believes campaign officials should help advance that message, not become the subject of recurring controversy capable of diverting attention from the candidate and the issues the campaign seeks to present to voters.
“In the organisation’s assessment, the controversy surrounding Senator Sheriff’s appointment represents an avoidable campaign vulnerability. There is no shortage of experienced political actors across the North who can undertake campaign responsibilities while commanding public confidence and minimising unnecessary reputational distractions.”
He calls on the APC leadership to drop Senator Ali Modu Sheriff from the 2027 Presidential Campaign Council and reconsider the assignment of the North-East zonal coordination responsibility.
The group believes that such a step would allow the party to refocus attention on its campaign message and strengthen confidence among grassroots supporters.
He urges the APC to apply a rigorous standard of credibility, public confidence, political experience and reputational assessment to all senior campaign appointments.
“The organisation is particularly concerned that the voices of Northern youths, who constitute a significant part of the electorate and grassroots mobilisation structure, should not be treated as peripheral to decisions affecting the campaign.
“NYF is unequivocal that the APC must carefully weigh the political value of every individual against the potential cost to the wider campaign.
“The group has invested in grassroots mobilisation for the Tinubu/Kashim 2027 project because of its stated commitment to the President’s political project. That commitment, however, does not prevent the organisation from drawing attention to decisions it considers capable of weakening the campaign.
“The APC should choose campaign assets that expand its coalition, strengthen its message and inspire confidence among voters. The party’s objective should be to present a campaign defined by its candidate, its record and its vision for Nigeria, not by avoidable controversies surrounding individual campaign officials,” he said.
He urges the APC leadership to treat the concerns surrounding Senator Sheriff’s appointment with the seriousness they deserve and take whatever corrective decision is necessary to protect the credibility and effectiveness of the 2027 campaign.