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.
Kwankwaso made the remarks in a statement posted on his official page on July 7, 2026, in response to comments made by Sheriff during an interview on Channels Television on Monday.
The former Kano State governor described Sheriff’s assessment as inconsistent with the political realities in the North, arguing that Obi had already demonstrated considerable electoral strength in the region during the last presidential election.
According to Kwankwaso, Obi secured approximately 2.8 million votes across Northern Nigeria in his first presidential contest, a performance he said should not be underestimated.
“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 stated.
He further argued that growing public dissatisfaction with the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration, coupled with the emergence of a Northern running mate on the “OK” presidential ticket, has strengthened the alliance’s appeal across the region.
Kwankwaso also rejected Sheriff’s assertion that voters in Kano State would not support Obi, insisting that the people of the state have consistently demonstrated loyalty to 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 said.
The former governor urged Sheriff to concentrate on addressing the security and humanitarian challenges confronting Borno State instead of making what he described as divisive political statements.
He added that the “OK” presidential ticket presents Nigerians with an opportunity to reset the country through competent leadership, national unity and sustainable progress.
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