Former Borno State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has strongly denied reports circulating on social media claiming that he accused Vice President Kashim Shettima of creating the terrorist group, Boko Haram.
In a statement released on Saturday and titled “A Lie Taken Too Far: Shettima, Ali Modu Sheriff Are Not on War Path,” Sheriff described the viral report as false, malicious, and dangerous, saying it was designed to cause disunity and confusion in the country’s political space.
He said, “The attention of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, former Governor of Borno State and respected elder statesman, has been drawn to a false and malicious publication circulating online under the headline, ‘It’s Not Me, It’s Shettima Who Created Boko Haram — Sheriff Reveals.’
“The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape.”
Sheriff made it clear that he never made such a statement, never granted any interview, and never spoke to journalists on the matter. He said the story was the work of mischief makers trying to damage his reputation and that of the Vice President.
“The report is not only mischievous but also a dangerous piece of fake news aimed at undermining my contributions to peace and national development,” he added.
Sheriff, who served as Governor of Borno State between 2003 and 2011, warned that his lawyers had been directed to identify those responsible for spreading the false report and to take appropriate legal action.
He urged the public and the media to ignore the story and avoid sharing information that could cause tension or promote hatred.
“The Senator maintains his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s security and stability and finds it deeply regrettable that unscrupulous individuals and platforms would resort to peddling falsehoods for cheap political gain,” the statement said.
Sheriff also vowed to seek full legal redress if the story is not retracted, reiterating his commitment to truth, justice, and accountability.
The controversy around Boko Haram’s origins has been a sensitive issue in Nigeria for more than a decade. The group, which emerged in the early 2000s under the leadership of Mohammed Yusuf, began as a radical Islamic movement in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Its ideology opposed Western education and government institutions, which the group described as corrupt and un-Islamic. The group turned violent in 2009 after a government crackdown that led to the death of its leader, Yusuf, while in police custody.
Since then, Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks across the North-East, killing thousands of people and displacing millions. The group’s violent campaign has spread into neighbouring countries such as Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.
Over the years, there have been repeated political claims and counterclaims about who may have indirectly supported or enabled the group during its early years. However, many of these claims have remained unproven and are often dismissed as political propaganda.
Ali Modu Sheriff and Kashim Shettima both hail from Borno State and have played significant roles in the state’s political development. Sheriff served as Governor from 2003 to 2011 under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) before later joining the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and eventually the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kashim Shettima succeeded Sheriff as Governor in 2011 and served two terms before becoming a senator and later the Vice President of Nigeria in 2023 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Both men have at different times been targets of allegations linking them to the early rise of Boko Haram, but neither has ever been officially indicted or found guilty of any wrongdoing.
In several past interviews, Sheriff had explained that Boko Haram started as a peaceful religious movement in Borno but later became violent and uncontrollable. He said that his administration tried to address the situation but was caught off guard by the group’s rapid transformation into a terrorist organisation.
Similarly, Vice President Shettima, as Governor, led efforts to rebuild Borno and combat the insurgency. His administration supported the establishment of civilian joint task forces and worked closely with security agencies to reclaim areas captured by insurgents.
In recent years, Nigerian politicians have increasingly been targets of fake news, especially on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp. False claims often spread quickly, influencing public opinion and sometimes causing unnecessary political tension.
He urged the media to verify sensitive political claims before publication and advised public figures to respond swiftly, as Sheriff did, to stop the spread of misinformation.
Concluding his statement, Sheriff appealed to Nigerians to remain focused on peace, unity, and development rather than divisive politics.
“Nigeria is facing many challenges that require collective effort,” he said. “Instead of spreading falsehoods, we should all work together to promote peace and stability in our dear country.”
