Kwankwaso knocks ex-Borno governor over comments on Peter Obi’s northern support

A former Governor of Kano State and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, over remarks questioning the electoral strength of Peter Obi in Northern Nigeria.

Mr Kwankwaso, in a statement posted on his X handle in the early hours of Wednesday, said he watched Mr Sheriff’s recent interview on Channels Television with disappointment, arguing that the former governor’s comments did not reflect the realities of Northern politics.

“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,” he said.

Obi’s northern support

Mr Kwankwaso faulted Mr Sheriff’s claim that Mr Obi could not command significant support in the North, noting that the former presidential candidate secured about 2.8 million votes in the region during his first presidential contest.

“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,” he stated.

According to Mr Kwankwaso, prevailing economic and social challenges in the country, coupled with what he described as the failure of the ruling administration, have strengthened the prospects of the “OK ticket” in the region.

He added that the inclusion of a prominent Northern figure, who previously secured about 1.45 million votes in the region, further reinforced the alliance’s electoral prospects.

Kano voters not biased

Mr Kwankwaso also rejected Mr Sheriff’s assertion that voters in Kano would not support Mr Obi, insisting that residents of the state have historically backed candidates endorsed by the Kwankwasiyya Movement, regardless of ethnic or regional considerations.

“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 said.

Calls Sheriff to focus on Borno

The former Kano governor urged Mr Sheriff to focus on the security and humanitarian challenges confronting Borno State rather than making what he described as divisive remarks on national television.

“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,” Mr Kwankwaso added.