Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 presidential election, has dismissed claims that Peter Obi is unfamiliar to voters in Northern Nigeria, arguing that the former Labour Party presidential candidate has already established a significant political presence in the region.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Kwankwaso pointed to Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election, where he said Obi secured more than two million votes across Northern Nigeria despite contesting independently.
According to Kwankwaso, Obi had previously contested alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar before later seeking the presidency on his own, giving northern voters multiple opportunities to assess his leadership and political appeal.
“Peter Obi is not a new person in terms of running an election here in Northern Nigeria. He ran together with Atiku Abubakar, and we have seen what they got. In the last election, he contested on his own and got over two million votes in Northern Nigeria,” Kwankwaso said.
He argued that Obi’s electoral performance demonstrates that he has already built a measurable support base in the North, contrary to suggestions that he lacks recognition in the region.
Kwankwaso also expressed confidence that the political landscape could evolve further before the 2027 general election, noting that many younger voters are placing greater emphasis on governance, security, economic opportunities, and practical solutions to national challenges.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to avoid judging public opinion based on isolated political statements, maintaining that Northern Nigerian voters are capable of making independent electoral decisions as the 2027 elections approach.
