Kano people not xenophobic: Kwankwaso rejects Modu Sheriff’s dismissal of Obi’s Northern appeal

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has strongly refuted claims made by former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff. Sheriff had dismissed the electoral prospects of NDC's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election. Kwankwaso expressed disappointment with Sheriff's remarks, made during a television interview, where he asserted that Northerners would not vote for Obi. "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," Kwankwaso stated. He challenged Sheriff's self-appointed role as spokesperson for Northern voters, pointing to Obi's performance in the 2023 presidential election, where he secured approximately 2.8 million votes in the region. Kwankwaso argued that the current economic hardships and dissatisfaction with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration enhance the NDC's ticket's prospects. He specifically dismissed Sheriff's assertion that Kano voters would reject Obi, describing the people of Kano as neither bigoted nor xenophobic and highlighting their consistent support for the Kwankwasiyya movement. Kwankwaso advised Sheriff to focus on the security and humanitarian challenges in Borno State rather than making divisive political statements. He maintained that the NDC's "OK ticket" offers Nigerians the best opportunity for national reset and progress.

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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.