Kwankwaso Defends Obi Ticket after Modu Sheriff claimed Northerners would reject Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election
Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has rejected claims by former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff that Northern Nigerians will not support Peter Obi’s presidential ambition in the 2027 election, insisting that the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso ticket remains a formidable political force in the region.
Also read: Ali Modu Sheriff Criticises Peter Obi’s Party Loyalty
Kwankwaso, who is the running mate to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), made the remarks on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, while responding to comments made by Sheriff during an interview with Channels Television.
Sheriff had argued that many Northerners would not vote for Obi because of concerns that his leadership could deepen divisions in the country if elected president.
However, in a statement shared through his social media platforms, Kwankwaso dismissed the claim, saying it underestimated the level of support Obi already secured in Northern Nigeria during the 2023 presidential election.
“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,” Kwankwaso said.
The former Kano governor argued that the current economic difficulties facing Nigerians, combined with dissatisfaction with the administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), could strengthen support for the NDC ticket ahead of the next election.
Kwankwaso also highlighted his own political influence in the North, referencing his performance in the 2023 election cycle and the support base associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement.
“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 said.
The former Kano governor also challenged Sheriff’s assertion that residents of Kano State would not support Obi in the next presidential contest, describing the people of the state as open to credible political choices.
“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 said.
Kwankwaso advised Sheriff to focus more on security and humanitarian concerns affecting Borno State rather than making comments about the electoral prospects of other political figures.
The exchange highlights an early political debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition figures seeking to build broader regional support while addressing questions about voter sentiment, national unity and governance.
Peter Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party platform, gained significant support among younger voters and in several regions, including parts of Northern Nigeria.
Also read: Ali Modu Sheriff Says Atiku Should Wait Till 2031
The upcoming election is expected to feature intense competition as political parties attempt to expand their influence across Nigeria’s diverse electorate.
