Vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) dismisses claims by former Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi does not have significant support in Northern Nigeria. In a statement posted on July 7, 2026, Kwankwaso reacts to Sheriff’s remarks made during a Channels Television interview. Kwankwaso argues that Obi’s prior electoral performance in the North—about 2.8 million votes in the last presidential election—demonstrates the Labour Party candidate’s political strength in the region. He describes the figure as “remarkable and undeniable.”
Kwankwaso also links Obi’s appeal to broader political factors, including what he characterizes as growing dissatisfaction with the ruling All Progressives Congress-led government and the presence of a Northern figure on the “OK” presidential ticket. Addressing Kano specifically, he rejects Sheriff’s view that Kano voters would not support Obi, saying the Kwankwasiyya movement influences elections there and has long been trusted by the people. Kwankwaso urges Sheriff to focus on addressing Borno’s security and humanitarian challenges rather than making divisive political comments.
