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Former Kano State Governor and 2027 presidential running mate to Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has criticised former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff over comments questioning Obi’s ability to secure significant support in Northern Nigeria.
Kwankwaso, in a post on X, said he watched Sheriff’s recent interview with Channels Television “with disappointment,” arguing that the former governor’s remarks did not reflect the realities of Northern politics.
Sheriff had reportedly claimed that Obi could not command substantial support in the North, a position Kwankwaso described as inaccurate.
“It is curious that he has appointed himself spokesperson for the Northern masses,” Kwankwaso said, adding that Obi’s performance in the region during his first presidential contest showed that he had gained considerable support.
He noted that Obi secured about 2.8 million votes in Northern Nigeria during the 2023 election, describing the figure as “a remarkable achievement that cannot be dismissed lightly.”
Kwankwaso also argued that the current economic challenges, dissatisfaction with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the inclusion of a strong Northern figure on the ticket would strengthen the political prospects of the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) ticket.
“Given the current national hardships, the widespread consensus on the failure of the APC administration, and the addition of a strong Northern figure to the ticket, the OK ticket remains a formidable force in Northern politics,” he said.
Responding specifically to Sheriff’s comments about Kano voters, Kwankwaso said the people of the state were open-minded and would support credible leadership.
“The good people of Kano are neither bigoted nor xenophobic,” he said, adding that residents had consistently shown support for the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Kwankwaso advised Sheriff to focus on addressing insecurity and humanitarian challenges in his home state rather than making what he described as divisive comments. He maintained that the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket represents an opportunity for Nigerians to pursue “competence, unity, and progress.”
