Former Kano State Governor and national leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has dismissed claims by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, that Peter Obi lacks significant political support in Northern Nigeria. Government
Kwankwaso responded on Tuesday in a post shared on X, saying he was disappointed by Sheriff’s comments during a Channels Television interview on Monday.
“I watched with disappointment the recent interview granted by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to Channels Television on Monday,” Kwankwaso wrote.
“After a prolonged absence from public discourse, one would have expected that time away might have sharpened Senator Sheriff’s judgment. Regrettably, that does not appear to be the case.”
Sheriff had reportedly stated that Obi could not command sizeable support across the North. Kwankwaso rejected that position and said Sheriff was speaking for himself, not for Northern voters.
“In the interview, the former governor claimed that Peter Obi cannot command sizeable support in Northern Nigeria. It is curious that he has appointed himself spokesperson for the Northern masses. 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,” he said. Africans& Diaspora
Kwankwaso argued that current economic and security challenges, combined with public frustration with the ruling APC administration, could alter voting patterns in the next election. He also referenced a potential joint ticket with Obi.
“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 who previously garnered 1.45 million votes in the region, the OK ticket remains a formidable force in Northern politics,” he added.
He further faulted Sheriff’s comment that voters in Kano would not support Obi. According to him, Kano electorates have consistently backed the Kwankwasiyya movement irrespective of ethnic or religious lines.
“Even more surprising was Senator Sheriff’s assertion that the people of Kano would not vote for Mr. Obi. Let me state clearly: 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.”
Kwankwaso advised Sheriff to focus on issues in Borno State rather than make remarks that could deepen political divisions.
“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 concluded by expressing confidence in the “OK ticket” as a viable alternative for Nigerians. Africans& Diaspora
“The OK ticket currently represents the best opportunity for Nigerians to reset the country and place it on a path of competence, unity, and progress.” Conclaveng.
