After failed attempts to force the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to elevate him to a prominent status in the party, in order to enable him to whitewash his image, a bottled up Alli Modu Sheriff unexpected exploded at the last Interim National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja. The former governor of Borno state transferred aggresion was aimed at Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the person he suspected to be the leader of those who think a too prominent role for Sheriff will rub off negatively on the new and young party.
It is on record that General Muhammed Buhari and several other top members of the party have been very uncomfortable with Sheriff’s presence and front poise at APC briefings and sessions. It is not unusual to see Sheriff struggling to plant himself beside Buhari or Tinubu or Bisi Akande once media pictures are being taken. At functions, Sheriff’s contributions are often verbose and makes party leaders most uncomfortable. Sheriff’s rumored connection with the Boko Haram sect, though not yet proven, has also been cause for worry for party leaders and faithfuls. Many leaders and members are worried that Sheriff is in APC with all the baggage associated with him. The Boko Haram label on him has stuck and despite attacks and condemnation, the party leaders have stood by Sheriff saying he had a right to be part of the party.
Notwithstanding, Sheriff since has sensed the discomfort of party members once he is in their presence. He is also angry that his attempt to be referred to a National leader of APC has failed. His anger is further amplified that, rather than side totally with him in his fight with the current governor of Borno State, Kasim Shettima, Tinubu has instead tried to broker peace by forcing two reconciliation meetings. This and many more lead to a bottled up Sheriff exploding at the meeting.
At the mere simple suggestion that he should watch his words and not refer to APC in derogatory terms by Tinubu, Sheriff flipped to the shock and suprise of the most members present including Bisi Akande, Atiku Abubakar and Gen, Buhari. According to sources at the meeting, Tinubu kept his cool and had his say. Sheriff had the microphone, which he did not let go. He insulted and threantened Tinubu and declared that the party was his own. People watched in shock amazement the raw anger and uncordinated and incoherent
comments by Sheriff.
It is said that General Buhari’s intervention was what saved the day.
“GMB was very frank and forthright when talking on the Sheriff issue,” our source said. “He tongue-lashed Sheriff and put him in his place. I think he got more than what he bargained for. Nobody can reverse the achievements of the APC. We are a young party and anyone who is not comfortable with our growth should not seek to destroy us. He should step aside and stop embarrassing us in public.”
Sources say despite Sheriff’s outburst, the party leadership are not interested in discarding him. Rather, they are seeking ways to deal with the many baggage he brings.
“Nobody is perfect,” an aide to a party leader said. “We are going to continue working to ensure the greatness of Nigeria through the APC and the members. Sheriffs won’t be thrown out. We will treat him like a brother that he is.”
