Kwankwaso rejects Sheriff's claim that northern voters will not back Peter Obi

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed claims by former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, that Northern Nigeria would not support the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, in the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso made the remarks in a statement issued on Wednesday in response to comments made by Sheriff during an interview on Channels Television on Monday.

According to Kwankwaso, Sheriff was mistaken to suggest that Obi could not attract significant support across Northern Nigeria.

“I watched with disappointment the recent interview granted by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. After a prolonged absence from public discourse, one would have expected that time away might have sharpened his judgment. Regrettably, that does not appear to be the case,” he said.

Kwankwaso noted that Obi secured about 2.8 million votes in Northern Nigeria during his first presidential contest, describing the performance as evidence that the former Anambra State governor already enjoys considerable support in the region.

He argued that the NDC ticket had become even more competitive with the addition of a strong northern running mate who previously polled about 1.45 million votes in the region.

The former Kano State governor also rejected Sheriff’s claim that Kano voters would not support Obi.

“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 facing Borno State rather than making what he described as divisive political remarks.

“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 said.

He added that the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket offered Nigerians what he described as “the best opportunity” to reposition the country through competent leadership, national unity and economic progress.

Sheriff’s comments have continued to generate reactions across political circles and on social media. The former Borno governor has, over the years, repeatedly denied allegations linking him to the emergence or sponsorship of the Boko Haram insurgency.