Sheriff: APC needs a rugged leader… we want to be in power for next 40 years

Ali Modu Sheriff, a former governor of Borno state, says his aspiration is that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains in power for the next 40 years.

He said this over the weekend, while speaking with journalists in Abuja on his intentions for the ruling party if he emerges national chairman.

The former senator is said to be interested in running for the APC’s national chairmanship position.

Sheriff, who said the ruling party needs a “rugged” national chairman, added that although the party has been in power for six years, “our aspirations are for the APC to be in government in the next 30 to 40 years”.

“I am bringing in my experience as somebody who knows the terrain of Nigeria. I am bringing my experience as a two-term state governor. I will be bringing in my experience as a leader of the national assembly. I am coming to the table as someone who understands the terrain and as someone who has run political parties in different aspects,” he said.

“I am not a newcomer. I am not a novice. I was the chairman of the board of trustees of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), one of the legacy parties that formed the APC.

“I am bringing to the table my knowledge of who and who worked hard to make sure that we succeed and who and who left because they were angry. I will go to their houses and bring them back. So, I am bringing a package that will meet the aspirations of every man and woman of this party.”

Sheriff said if he is elected as the APC’s chairman at the party’s national convention, he would meet the aspirations of all party members.

“To do that, you need a rugged captain. You don’t need a captain that will capsize the ship. A ship has to be navigated by a knowledgeable person who knows the waters and I believe I can do that for our party if given the opportunity by party men and women who are the decision makers,” he said.

“There are so many people on the field, but you can look at everybody and see where you can put your deposit. We don’t want a bank that will collapse after a short period.”