The Kwankwasiyya Movement has criticised former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, over his recent comments suggesting that Peter Obi has no meaningful political future in Northern Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed Mailemo, the movement described Sheriff’s remarks as disappointing, insisting that no individual had the authority to determine how the people of Northern Nigeria should vote.
“The North is not the personal political estate of anyone,” the statement said.
The movement said millions of Nigerians and free-spirited Northerners were disappointed by Sheriff’s comments, describing them as unfounded and reflective of a patronising attitude towards Northern voters.
According to the statement, the remarks suggested that millions of citizens were incapable of making independent political decisions without the approval of a few self-appointed political gatekeepers.
“It should be stated unequivocally that no individual has the mandate to decide for the entire North. Northern Nigeria is home to diverse political opinions, aspirations and convictions. Its electorate has repeatedly demonstrated that it cannot be reduced to stereotypes or dictated to by political elites,” the movement said.
The group also referenced comments by its national leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, saying the outcome of the 2023 presidential election had already disproved claims that any candidate could not attract support across regional boundaries.
“Our National Leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, correctly observed that the outcome of the 2023 presidential election clearly disproves the claim that any candidate is incapable of attracting support across regional boundaries. The votes cast across Northern Nigeria reflected the constitutional freedom of citizens to support candidates of their choice,” the statement read.
The movement argued that attempts to rewrite the political reality of the last election would neither strengthen democracy nor promote national unity.
“Attempts to rewrite this political reality neither serve democracy nor promote national unity. They instead encourage unnecessary divisions at a time when Nigerians expect their leaders to focus on the pressing challenges confronting the nation,” it stated.
It said Nigerians were more concerned about the country’s economic and security challenges than political narratives aimed at determining who should enjoy support in a particular region.
“Today, the average Nigerian is worried about the rising cost of living, widespread insecurity, youth unemployment, declining purchasing power, the state of education and access to quality healthcare. These are the issues deserving of serious political engagement, not narratives that seek to define the political choices of millions of voters,” the statement said.
The movement maintained that political leadership should be earned through performance and the trust of the people rather than public declarations or claims of regional ownership.
“The Kwankwasiyya Movement believes that leadership is earned through ideas, credibility, performance and the confidence of the electorate, not through media declarations or claims of regional ownership,” it said.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, the movement urged political leaders to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid statements capable of creating regional or political divisions.
It called on politicians to embrace civility, respect democratic competition and allow citizens to freely choose candidates of their choice.
“Democracy thrives when citizens are free to choose and when political parties compete on the strength of their ideas and records. History has shown that Nigerians are increasingly independent in their political judgment. No amount of rhetoric can substitute for the verdict of the ballot box,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its commitment to democratic values and constitutional rights, the group stressed that every Nigerian, regardless of region, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation, has the right to seek public office and support any candidate of their choice.
“The future of Nigeria will be decided by the Nigerian people, not by political gatekeepers,” the statement concluded.
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