Kwankwaso dismisses Sheriff's claim, says North will support Obi
Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, dismissed former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff’s claim that the North would not support the NDC’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, despite Obi being his running mate. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, July 21, 2026, Kwankwaso said he has known Sheriff and President Bola Tinubu since the aborted Third Republic and remains in communication with them. He stated that Sheriff was not serious about his remark and was merely trying to impress someone in the Presidential Villa. Kwankwaso did not detail the nature of his recent conversations with Tinubu or Sheriff. The exchange highlights ongoing political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly regarding regional alliances and the viability of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. It also underscores the personal histories among key northern political figures that shape current alliances. Considering Kwankwaso’s influence in the North, his dismissal suggests potential shifts in regional support for the NDC ticket. How do you assess the reliability of such political assurances, and what factors will most influence your view of Northern voter alignment in the upcoming election?