Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday after a meeting with Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State at the Government House ahead of his presidential campaign flag-off in the state has condemned those he defined as statesmen for endorsing a particular candidate ahead of the 25 February 2023 presidential election.
It was recalled in recent times, that former president General Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, Benue State Governor, His Excellency Gov. Samuel Ortom, and noticeable Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark had endorsed the presidential desire of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
General Obasanjo's endorsement of Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, had engrossed diversified reactions from the masses on social media and some political stakeholders in the country.
Kwankwaso said it is wrong for any person who is considered a statesman to go about endorsing candidates. He further stated that these endorsements were based on religious and ethnic sentiments and had no effect on the electorate, who, according to him, is a lot wiser now.
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. 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 a 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.”