Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed claims by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi lacks significant political support in Northern Nigeria.
The remarks were contained in a statement posted on Kwankwaso’s official page on July 7, 2026, in reaction to an interview Sheriff granted to Channels Television on Monday.
According to the former Kano state governor, Sheriff’s comments did not reflect the political reality in the North, insisting that Obi recorded about 2.8 million votes across the region during the last presidential election.
Kwankwaso argued that with what he described as growing dissatisfaction over the performance of the All Progressives Congress-led administration and the addition of a Northern figure to the “OK” presidential ticket, the alliance remains a strong political force 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,” Kwankwaso said.
He also rejected Sheriff’s claim that Kano voters would not support Obi, maintaining that residents of the state have consistently backed candidates endorsed by the Kwankwasiyya movement.
“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 stated.
Kwankwaso further advised Sheriff to focus on the security and humanitarian challenges facing Borno State instead of making what he described as divisive political comments, adding that the “OK” ticket offers Nigerians an opportunity to reset the country and promote competence, unity and progress.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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