Peter Obi: ‘Big Mistake, Stop Disgracing Yourselves’ – Kwankwaso Fires Obasanjo, Ortom, Clark

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has slammed those he described as statesmen for endorsing a particular candidate ahead of the February 25 presidential election in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and prominent South-South leader Chief Edwin Clark had recently endorsed the presidential ambition of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The endorsements, which were done separately, have continued to attract mixed reactions from Nigerians and political stakeholders in the country.

Reacting 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, Kwankwaso said it is wrong for any person who is considered a statesman to go about endorsing candidates.

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: “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 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,” he added.