Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has faulted comments by former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, cannot attract significant support from Northern voters ahead of the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso described Sheriff’s remarks during a recent television interview as disappointing and accused him of speaking on behalf of the North without justification.
He argued that Obi had already demonstrated electoral strength in the region by securing about 2.8 million votes during the 2023 presidential election, insisting that the feat could not be dismissed.
According to Kwankwaso, the country’s current economic and security challenges, coupled with what he described as growing dissatisfaction with the ruling All Progressives Congress administration, have created a favourable environment for a strong opposition ticket.
He also maintained that the addition of a prominent Northern political figure who previously secured about 1.45 million votes in the region would further strengthen what he referred to as the “OK ticket.”
Responding to Sheriff’s claim that Kano voters would reject Obi, Kwankwaso said the people of Kano are neither bigoted nor xenophobic and have consistently supported candidates presented by the Kwankwasiyya movement.
“The good people of Kano have always demonstrated trust in the Kwankwasiyya movement and will support any credible ticket presented under its banner,” he said.
Kwankwaso urged Sheriff to focus on the security and humanitarian challenges confronting Borno State instead of making what he described as divisive political comments.
He added that the “OK ticket” offers Nigerians an opportunity to reposition the country through competent leadership, unity and national development.
Sheriff, during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, had said Northerners would not vote for Obi in the 2027 presidential election and argued that power should remain in the South until 2031.
(The Whistler)