The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has rejected claims by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi lacks meaningful political support in Northern Nigeria.
Kwankwaso made his position known in a statement shared on his official social media page on July 7, 2026, following comments made by Sheriff during an interview on Channels Television.
The former Kano State governor described Sheriff’s remarks as inaccurate and inconsistent with the voting pattern recorded during the 2023 presidential election. According to him, Obi’s performance across Northern Nigeria demonstrated that the former Anambra State governor enjoys considerable support in the region.
Kwankwaso stated that Peter Obi secured approximately 2.8 million votes across Northern states during his first presidential contest, insisting that such a figure cannot be ignored in any serious political analysis.
”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 further argued that the current political landscape has changed significantly, noting that growing public dissatisfaction with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the emergence of a Northern running mate on the “OK” presidential ticket have further strengthened the alliance’s prospects in the region.
Kwankwaso Speaks on Kano Politics
Responding specifically to Sheriff’s assertion that Kano voters would not support Peter Obi, Kwankwaso maintained that the people of Kano have consistently voted based on trust, credibility, and the influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement rather than ethnic or religious sentiments.
According to him, Kano remains one of Nigeria’s most politically mature states, where voters evaluate candidates based on leadership qualities and public confidence.
”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.
Calls on Sheriff to Focus on Borno Challenges
Kwankwaso also urged Ali Modu Sheriff to concentrate on addressing the pressing security and humanitarian issues affecting Borno State instead of making comments capable of deepening political divisions.
He stressed that millions of residents in the North-East continue to face challenges arising from insecurity, displacement and economic hardship, adding that national leaders should prioritize solutions to these problems.
According to Kwankwaso, the “OK” presidential ticket represents an opportunity to unite Nigerians across regional, ethnic and religious lines while promoting competent leadership, national unity and economic recovery.
Political Significance
The exchange between Kwankwaso and Sheriff highlights the growing political debate ahead of the 2027 general election, particularly over the influence of Northern voters in determining Nigeria’s next president.
Political observers believe the North remains the country’s largest voting bloc, making endorsements, alliances and public perception critical factors as political parties intensify consultations and coalition-building.
With major political actors already positioning themselves for the next election cycle, discussions surrounding voter strength, regional support and coalition politics are expected to dominate Nigeria’s political landscape in the coming months.
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