Kwankwaso calls former governor of Borno state, Ali Modu Sheriff a bigot over claims that the north will not vote for Obi in 2027

A chieftain of the opposition coalition, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (RMK), has criticized former Borno State Governor and Senator, over comments he made during a recent interview on Channels Television regarding Obi's political strength in Northern Nigeria.

Reacting to the interview aired on Monday, RMK described Sheriff’s remarks as disappointing, arguing that the former governor underestimated Obi’s growing acceptance across the North.

According to RMK, Obi demonstrated significant electoral strength during the 2023 presidential election by securing about 2.8 million votes across Northern Nigeria, a performance he said cannot be dismissed. He added that with the country's worsening economic and security challenges, widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling  (APC), and the inclusion of a prominent Northern political figure on the proposed "OK" ticket, the alliance remains a formidable force ahead of future elections.

RMK also faulted Sheriff's claim that voters in  would reject Obi, insisting that the people of Kano have consistently supported credible leadership and have demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya movement. He maintained that the state's electorate is not driven by ethnic or religious prejudice and would back any credible candidate presented under the movement's platform.

The opposition figure urged Sheriff to focus on addressing the insecurity and humanitarian challenges confronting his home state instead of making what he described as divisive political statements on national television.

He concluded by expressing confidence that the proposed "OK" ticket represents a viable alternative for Nigerians seeking competent leadership, national unity, and progress.

His statement reads: 

I watched with disappointment the recent interview granted by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to Channels Television on Monday.

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.

In the interview, the former governor claimed that Peter Obi cannot command sizeable support in Northern Nigeria. 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.

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.

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.

I respectfully advise Senator Sheriff that, in future national television appearances, he would do better to speak to the serious insecurity and humanitarian challenges facing his home state, rather than making divisive and poorly considered remarks.

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. - RMK