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| Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso |
By Editor
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has rejected claims by former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, that Northern voters would not support the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Kwankwaso described the assertion as misleading, insisting that Obi commands significant and growing support across Northern Nigeria.
He argued that no individual could claim to speak for the entire North or determine how millions of voters in the region would cast their ballots.
"It is both inaccurate and presumptuous for anyone to claim to speak for the entire North. The people of the region are politically conscious and will vote for the candidate they believe has the capacity, competence and integrity to lead Nigeria. Peter Obi enjoys genuine support across Northern Nigeria, and that support continues to grow," Kwankwaso stated.
The former Kano State governor pointed to the 2023 presidential election, noting that Obi secured about 2.8 million votes across the North, which he said reflected the former Anambra governor's increasing acceptance among Northern voters.
Kwankwaso further argued that the country's current economic challenges and growing public dissatisfaction have strengthened Obi's appeal ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
He also dismissed Sheriff's claim that Kano voters would reject Obi, maintaining that the people of the state have consistently demonstrated political independence by supporting candidates they consider credible, regardless of ethnic or religious background.
According to him, the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso alliance offers Nigerians a viable alternative capable of addressing the country's economic, security and governance challenges.
Kwankwaso urged Sheriff to focus on issues affecting Nigerians, particularly the worsening security and humanitarian situation in the North-East, instead of making what he described as divisive political statements.
Sheriff had earlier stated during a television interview that Northern voters would not back Peter Obi in the 2027 election, arguing that the former Anambra State governor lacked the regional support needed to secure victory.