Former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff has recalled a meeting with the late General Mohammed Shuwa, saying the retired military officer urged him to always support Nigeria’s unity before endorsing his political ambition.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, July 6, 2026, Sheriff said he visited General Shuwa in 1990 to seek his support for his bid to represent Borno Central in the 1991 Senate election.
According to Sheriff, Shuwa agreed to support him on one condition. “My son, I will support you under one condition,” Sheriff quoted the late general as saying. “You should never be party to anything that will divide Nigeria.”
Sheriff said General Shuwa then reminded him of the sacrifices made during the Nigerian Civil War by raising his trouser to show him a bullet wound he sustained in service.
“Then he raised his trouser and showed me the bullet on his body and said you must always support rotational presidency,” Sheriff recalled.
He said the encounter left a lasting impression on him and underscored General Shuwa’s commitment to Nigeria’s unity and political stability.
