Kwankwaso faults Sheriff over claim Obi lacks northern support

Former Kano State Governor and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has criticised former Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff over his claim that the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, lacks substantial support in Northern Nigeria.

Kwankwaso, in a statement issued on Tuesday, described Sheriffs remarks during a television interview as disappointing, arguing that the former governor was wrong to suggest that Obi could not attract significant votes from the region.

“I watched with disappointment the recent interview granted by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to Channels Television on Monday,” Kwankwaso said.

“After a prolonged absence from public discourse, one would have expected that time away might have sharpened Senator Sheriff’s judgment. Regrettably, that does not appear to be the case.”

Responding to Sheriff’s assertion that Obi could not command sizeable support in the North, Kwankwaso said the former governor had no mandate to speak on behalf of northern voters.

“In the interview, the former governor claimed that Peter Obi cannot command sizeable support in Northern Nigeria. It is curious that he has appointed himself spokesperson for the Northern masses,” he said.

He noted that Obi secured about 2.8 million votes across Northern Nigeria in his first presidential contest, insisting that the performance demonstrated the former Anambra State governor’s growing acceptance in the region.

“For the record, in his first outing on the presidential ballot, Mr. Obi secured approximately 2.8 million votes in the region — a remarkable achievement that cannot be dismissed lightly,” he stated.

Kwankwaso also argued that prevailing economic and security challenges under the ruling All Progressives Congress administration had further strengthened the prospects of the NDC ahead of the 2027 election.

According to him, the emergence of a strong northern figure on the party’s presidential ticket, who previously secured about 1.45 million votes in the region, has made the “OK ticket” a formidable political force.

He also rejected Sheriff’s claim that Kano voters would not support Obi, saying the people of the state have consistently demonstrated political maturity and would rally behind any credible candidate endorsed by the Kwankwasiyya movement.

“Let me state clearly: the good people of Kano are neither bigoted nor xenophobic. They have consistently demonstrated strong trust in the Kwankwasiyya movement and will support any credible ticket presented under its banner,” he said.

Kwankwaso urged Sheriff to focus on addressing the security and humanitarian challenges confronting his home state instead of making what he described as divisive political comments.

“I respectfully advise Senator Sheriff that, in future national television appearances, he would do better to speak to the serious insecurity and humanitarian challenges facing his home state, rather than making divisive and poorly considered remarks,” he added.

The former governor maintained that the Obi-Kwankwaso, or “OK”, ticket offers Nigerians the best opportunity to change the country’s direction.

“The OK ticket currently represents the best opportunity for Nigerians to reset the country and place it on a path of competence, unity and progress,” he said.