Kwankwaso said, “Some of the people supporting and endorsing Mr A or Mr B, I think it is a big mistake. These are leaders I respect. There is a time in your life when you become real statesman, not a politician.”
By Jeffrey Agbo
Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Wednesday called on elder statesmen to “stop disgracing themselves” following the wave of endorsements of another candidate.
On New Year’s Day, former President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed Obi for the nation’s top job. The following day, the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, also endorsed Obi.
Speaking in Benin City, Edo State capital, Kwankwaso said it was wrong for any person, who is considered a statesman, to endorse a candidate ahead of the February 25 presidential election.
He said, “I want to advise our leaders: they should stop disgracing themselves. We have so much respect for them. If you say you don’t like me, no problem.”
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Kwankwaso was hosted by Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House ahead of his presidential campaign flag-off in the state.
However, the NNPP presidential candidate insisted that these endorsements were based on religious and ethnic sentiments and have no effect on the electorate, who, according to him, are a lot wiser now.
Kwankwaso said, “Some of the people supporting and endorsing Mr A or Mr B, I think it is a big mistake. These are leaders I respect. There is a time in your life when you become real statesman, not a politician.
“I can tell you also that any candidate or party that comes out with the face of ethnicity or the issue of religion, that party, that candidate, I can assure you, has failed that election before it starts.”
