Former Kano State Governor and national leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has launched a scathing response to comments made by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, over the electoral prospects of Peter Obi in Northern Nigeria.
Afrilensnews reports that Kwankwaso reacted after Sheriff, during a Monday interview on Channels Television, reportedly argued that Obi lacks the capacity to attract significant support across the North and would not secure votes in Kano State.
Responding in a strongly worded statement, Kwankwaso expressed disappointment over Sheriff’s remarks, saying he had expected the former governor’s long absence from the public space to have improved his judgment.
“I watched with disappointment the recent interview granted by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to Channels Television on Monday.
“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.”
Kwankwaso challenged Sheriff’s claim that Obi has little political appeal in Northern Nigeria, insisting that the former Anambra State governor had already demonstrated substantial electoral strength in the region.
“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.”
The former presidential candidate further argued that worsening economic conditions and public dissatisfaction with the ruling administration have altered the country’s political landscape ahead of the next general election.
“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.”
Kwankwaso also dismissed Sheriff’s claim that Kano voters would reject Obi, maintaining that the state’s electorate has consistently supported candidates backed by the Kwankwasiyya movement.
“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.”
Turning his attention directly to Sheriff, Kwankwaso urged the former governor to focus on the security crisis confronting Borno State instead of making what he described as divisive political comments.
“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.”
Reaffirming his confidence in the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, Kwankwaso declared that the “OK” ticket offers Nigerians a credible alternative.
“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.”
The latest exchange is expected to intensify political debate ahead of the 2027 general election, particularly over the influence of Northern voting blocs and the growing speculation surrounding a possible Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket. It also underscores the deepening war of words between opposition figures and prominent voices aligned with differing political interests.
