Vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed claims by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, that the party’s 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 an interview Sheriff granted to Channels Television on Monday.
The former Kano State governor said Sheriff’s comments do not reflect the political reality in the North, insisting that Obi secured about 2.8 million votes across the region during the last presidential election.
Kwankwaso argued that growing dissatisfaction with the All Progressives Congress led administration, coupled with the emergence of a Northern figure on the OK presidential ticket, has strengthened the alliance’s support across 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 further advised Sheriff to focus on the security and humanitarian challenges facing Borno State rather than making what he described as divisive political comments.
He added that the OK presidential ticket offers Nigerians an opportunity to reset the country and promote competence, unity and progress.
