𝐄𝐱-𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐤𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦

Former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, has dismissed as false reports claiming he accused Vice President Kashim Shettima of creating the Boko Haram insurgent group.

Sheriff, in a statement on Saturday, described as “false and malicious” an online publication titled “It’s Not Me, It’s Shettima Who Created Boko Haram – Sheriff Reveals.” He said the report was a fabrication designed to mislead the public and damage his reputation.

Both Sheriff and Shettima previously governed Borno State — Sheriff between 2003 and 2011, and Shettima from 2011 to 2019.

Reacting to the publication, Sheriff stressed that he never granted any interview nor made any comment linking Shettima to the formation of Boko Haram. He said the report was the handiwork of individuals seeking to cause political tension and division.

“The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign the person of Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape,” the statement read.

He added that the publication was a “dangerous piece of fake news” aimed at undermining his years of contributions to peace and national development.

Sheriff urged Nigerians to disregard the report, reaffirming his commitment to truth and accountability. He also disclosed that his legal team had been instructed to identify and take legal action against all persons and platforms responsible for spreading the defamatory content.

“Should the false publication not be retracted and taken down forthwith, the senator will not hesitate to seek full legal redress under the law,” he warned.