Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed claims by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi lacks significant political support in Northern Nigeria.

The remarks were contained in a statement posted on Kwankwaso’s official page on July 7, 2026, in reaction to an interview Sheriff granted to Channels Television on Monday.

According to the former Kano state governor, Sheriff’s comments did not reflect the political reality in the North, insisting that Obi recorded about 2.8 million votes across the region during the last presidential election.

Kwankwaso argued that with what he described as growing dissatisfaction over the performance of the All Progressives Congress-led administration and the addition of a Northern figure to the “OK” presidential ticket, the alliance remains a strong political force in the region.

“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,” Kwankwaso said.

He also rejected Sheriff’s claim that Kano voters would not support Obi, maintaining that residents of the state have consistently backed candidates endorsed by the Kwankwasiyya movement.

“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,” he stated.

Kwankwaso further advised Sheriff to focus on the security and humanitarian challenges facing Borno State instead of making what he described as divisive political comments, adding that the “OK” ticket offers Nigerians an opportunity to reset the country and promote competence, unity and progress.

Government freezes new cross-cutting digital regulations

Under the directive, regulators have been instructed to suspend the implementation or enforcement of new regulatory instruments relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues while the policy harmonisation exercise is completed.

“The existing regulatory status quo shall be maintained with respect to matters relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues currently undergoing inter-agency policy harmonisation under the Ministry’s coordination,” the minister directed.

The ministry explained that while each regulator operates under clearly defined statutory mandates, rapid technological convergence has created overlapping areas of responsibility that require a coordinated whole-of-government approach.

The increasing intersection of telecommunications, digital platforms, AI, online safety and data governance demands regulatory coherence to avoid duplication, conflicting obligations and unnecessary compliance burdens, according to the ministry. 

“Regulatory coordination is not only essential to preserving legal certainty but is also fundamental to promoting investment, innovation, consumer confidence and Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness as Africa’s leading digital economy,” he said.

Harmonisation aims to boost investment and innovation

Tijani said regulatory coordination is essential to providing legal certainty for businesses operating in Nigeria’s digital economy.

“Regulatory coordination is not only essential to preserving legal certainty but is also fundamental to promoting investment, innovation, consumer confidence and Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness as Africa’s leading digital economy,” he said.

The ministry clarified that the directive applies only to new regulatory instruments affecting cross-cutting digital economy issues that are currently undergoing harmonisation.

It stressed that regulations falling squarely within the statutory mandates of individual agencies remain fully operational.

“The above direction is without prejudice to the statutory responsibilities of the respective institutions. Accordingly, all other provisions of existing regulations, guidelines, codes and directives that fall squarely within the express mandates of the relevant agencies under extant laws shall remain fully operational and enforceable, provided they are consistent with the policy direction issued,” the ministry said.

Joint committee to develop unified digital policy

As part of the coordination effort, the ministry announced the establishment of a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC under the supervision of the Office of the Minister.

The committee will coordinate technical engagements, consult industry stakeholders, civil society organisations and academia, and develop recommendations for a harmonised national policy and governance framework.

According to the ministry, the objective is to improve regulatory coherence rather than reduce the statutory powers of any agency.

“The objective of the harmonisation exercise is not to diminish the statutory mandates of any institution but to ensure that the Government speaks with one coherent voice on cross-cutting digital economy issues through a coordinated, predictable and future-ready regulatory framework,” the ministry said.

The proposed framework is expected to clarify institutional responsibilities, eliminate unnecessary regulatory overlap, reduce compliance uncertainty, strengthen investor confidence and support Nigeria’s ambition to become Africa’s leading digital economy.

Responding to an increasingly complex digital landscape

Nigeria’s digital regulatory environment has become progressively more complex as the mandates of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC have expanded alongside rapid growth in digital services, AI applications and online platforms.

NITDA currently oversees aspects of internet platform regulation through its 2022 Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms and Internet Intermediaries, while also implementing broader information technology policies under the NITDA Act.

The NDPC regulates compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, while the NCC oversees telecommunications and communications services, creating areas where regulatory responsibilities increasingly intersect.

Part of broader digital governance reforms

The latest directive builds on the ministry’s wider strategy of strengthening coordination across Nigeria’s digital governance ecosystem.

In April 2026, the ministry announced plans to establish a National Cybersecurity Coordination Council to improve collaboration among government agencies, regulators, the private sector and other stakeholders in responding to emerging cyber threats.

Rather than creating another regulator, the government said that the proposed council is designed as a multi-stakeholder coordination platform to strengthen information sharing, align cybersecurity policies and improve national incident response.

As part of that initiative, Tijani directed the NCC, NITDA, NDPC and Galaxy Backbone to establish a technical coordination secretariat under NITDA to support stakeholder consultations and develop the council’s operational framework.

Together, the regulatory harmonisation initiative and the proposed cybersecurity coordination council reflect the Federal Government’s broader effort to create a more coherent, predictable and innovation-friendly governance framework for Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.