Kwankwaso also advised the former Borno State governor to focus on the insecurity and humanitarian crisis facing his state.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has picked holes in claims by the former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, that his principal and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, lacks the needed political support in the Northern region of Nigeria.
He dismissed the assertion on Tuesday, 7 July, via a statement shared on his verified social media handle.
Kwankwaso was reacting to an interview Sheriff granted while appearing on Channels Television on Monday.
The former Borno governor, while on the programme, argued that the former Anambra governor stands little chance of attracting widespread support in the North.
“I am not worried about Peter Obi because I know Northerners will never vote for him,” he said.
When reminded that Obi won substantial votes in states including Plateau and Nasarawa during the last presidential election, Sheriff added, “The situation is different now. When Peter Obi was governor, he chased Northerners out of Anambra State.”
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Responding, Kwankwaso insisted that Sheriff’s comments did not reflect the political reality in the North, maintaining that Obi recorded about 2.8 million votes across the region during the last presidential election.
He further argued that with the growing dissatisfaction over the performance of the All Progressives Congress-led administration and the addition of a Northern figure to the “OK” presidential ticket, it remains a strong political force in the region.
“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 said.
He also rejected Sheriff’s claim that Kano voters would not support Obi, maintaining that residents of the state have consistently backed 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 stated.
Kwankwaso advised Sheriff to focus on the security and humanitarian challenges facing Borno State instead of making what he described as divisive political comments.
He concluded saying the “OK” ticket offers Nigerians an opportunity to reset the country and promote competence, unity, and progress.
