KANO — The Northern political landscape has been thrown into a state of flux following Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s recent endorsement of Peter Obi, triggering a wave of conflicting reactions from powerful religious leaders, youth organizations, and traditional political blocs.
While the “OK” (Obi-Kwankwaso) alliance is being hailed by some as a bridge-building masterstroke, it has also reignited deep-seated regional anxieties and a fierce debate over religious and ethnic identity.
“Hunger Has No Religion”: Youth Groups Rally
In the streets of Kano and Kaduna, a segment of the Northern youth population has reacted with cautious optimism. Supporters of the Kwankwasiyya movement and the newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) held several grassroots meetings this week to drum up support for the alliance.
“We are tired of being told who to vote for based on religion while our brothers are kidnapped and our parents cannot afford a bag of maize,” said Ahmad Yusuf, a youth coordinator in Kano. “Kwankwaso has told us Obi is a good man, and we trust his judgment. Hunger and insecurity do not ask if you are from the North or the South.”
The “Pulpit Pushback”: Clerics Issue Warnings
However, the alliance faces a steep uphill battle in the religious sphere. Several high-profile clerics have utilized their platforms to warn against the move. Most notably, Sheikh Barrister Ishaq Adam Kano has openly challenged the endorsement, urging Northern Muslims to remain wary.
In a widely circulated sermon, the cleric cautioned that political alliances should not supersede regional interests or religious identity, citing concerns over Peter Obi’s past administrative record in Anambra. This religious pushback remains one of the greatest hurdles for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as it seeks to penetrate the conservative rural voting blocs of the far North.
APC and ACF: “A Fractured Front”
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has not been silent, with party stalwarts labeling the move an act of “political desperation.” APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, dismissed the alliance as a “marriage of convenience” that would crumble under the weight of Northern political reality.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF)—the region’s primary socio-cultural mouthpiece—appears to be navigating internal divisions. While some members advocate for a Southern presidency to ensure national stability, others fear that Kwankwaso’s move could alienate other Northern heavyweights like Atiku Abubakar, further fracturing the region’s collective voting power.
The Battle for the Northern Soul
As the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape, the North has become a ideological battlefield. On one side stands a “New North” focused on economic survival and cross-regional alliances; on the other, a “Traditional North” determined to protect its political heritage and religious identity.
The coming months will determine if Kwankwaso’s “good man” testimonial can wash away years of suspicion, or if the pulpit will prove more influential than the political platform.
