The Boko Haram insurgency started in Borno State, Nigeria, during the tenure of Ali Modu Sheriff as governor.
His tenure was marred by allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.
During the early years of the Boko Haram insurgency, some people claimed that he was part of the early formation of Boko Haram, which he denied.
However, there was a publication that had gone viral in which Ali Modu Sheriff accused Kazeem Shettima, now Vice President of Nigeria, of creating Boko Haram as a political plot to win the 2011 Borno guber poll.
In a new development, Senator Ali Modu dismissed the viral report as false, misleading, and untrue.
The statement, issued by the Sheriff’s media office, described the publication titled “It’s Not Me, It’s Shettima Who Created Boko Haram—Sheriff Reveals” as entirely fabricated and intended to mislead the public and tarnish his reputation.
Sheriff, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), clarified that he never granted any interview or made comments relating to the claims circulating online.
“The story is a total falsehood, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to sow discord within the nation’s political landscape,” the statement read.
“At no time did Senator Sheriff engage with any journalist on this matter.”
He described the publication as a “dangerous piece of fake news” aimed at undermining his contributions to peace, unity, and development in Borno State and Nigeria.
He reaffirmed his commitment to national stability and condemned those spreading misinformation for political gain.
The sheriff also directed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify and prosecute the individuals behind the false report.
“Should the publication not be retracted, the Senator will seek full legal redress,” the statement warned.
He further urged the public and media to disregard the viral story, emphasizing his dedication to truth, justice, and accountability.
15 things you probably do not know about Ali Modu Sheriff, former Senator and Governor of Borno State
He was born on August 6, 1956 in Maiduguri, Borno state
He is a Nigerian politician and businessman
He attended Maiduguri Primary School
He later proceeded to Borno Teachers College
He obtained a degree in Education from the University of Maiduguri
He furthered his studies at the London School of Business, where he studied Insurance, Banking, and Finance
He managed his family’s trading company, M. Sheriff & Co.
He expanded the business into various sectors, including oil and gas, agriculture, construction, and transportation
He founded Atlantic Energy, a leading oil and gas company in Nigeria.
He began in the 1990s as a member of the All People’s Party (APP) and later the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP)
He served as a Member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003
He was elected Governor of Borno State in 2003, serving two consecutive terms until 2011
During his governorship, he implemented infrastructure projects, education reforms, and healthcare initiatives
He is married to Hajiya Zainab and the marriage is blessed with children
He is a devout Muslim
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