Former Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff has strongly denied viral claims that he accused Vice President Kashim Shettima of creating the notorious Boko Haram terrorist group. The denial comes as a fabricated quote attributed to Sheriff circulates widely across Nigerian social media platforms.
False Accusation Sparks Political Tension
A misleading statement supposedly from Senator Sheriff recently resurfaced online, falsely quoting him as saying: "It's not me; it's Shettima who created Boko Haram." This misinformation appeared extensively on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and various WhatsApp groups, generating significant political controversy and public debate.
Sheriff's media office issued a formal statement on Saturday, November 8, 2025, categorically denying these allegations. The statement described the viral claim as "false, malicious, and a dangerous piece of fake news" designed to mislead Nigerians and create unnecessary political tension.
Historical Context and Political Reconciliation
Investigations by TheCable revealed the fake quote originally appeared in August 2016 through an obscure online platform known for spreading politically charged misinformation during the buildup to the 2019 general elections. The false statement has periodically resurfaced despite being thoroughly debunked.
The relationship between both political figures has historical significance in Borno State politics. Sheriff served as Borno State governor from 2003 to 2011, while Shettima succeeded him, governing from 2011 to 2019 before becoming a Senator and eventually Vice President under the Bola Tinubu administration in 2023.
Notably, both leaders had previously reconciled their political differences during a May 2018 meeting in Abuja, where they reached a peace agreement allowing Sheriff and his allies to rejoin the All Progressive Congress (APC). This context makes the current false allegations particularly damaging to their restored political alliance.
Legal Action Against Fake News Publishers
Senator Sheriff has taken decisive steps to combat the spread of this misinformation. His media aide confirmed that Sheriff has directed his legal team to identify all individuals, bloggers, and media outlets responsible for circulating the defamatory material.
The official statement emphasized that "Senator Sheriff has directed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for disseminating this false material." The statement further warned that unless the publication is retracted and deleted immediately, Sheriff would pursue "full legal redress under Nigerian law."
Sheriff's team characterized the false report as politically motivated propaganda aimed at undermining his contributions to peace and national unity, particularly in the sensitive North-East region that has endured years of Boko Haram insurgency and insecurity.
