Peter Obi's Endorsements: Rabiu Kwankwaso says it's a mistake
The Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has described as "a mistake" the endorsement of the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, by political statesmen.
Mr Kwankwaso insinuated that their endorsement was motivated by "ethnicity" and "religion."
The former governor of Kano State spoke with journalists after he visited the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, at the State House on Wednesday in Benin City.
In an open letter addressed to Nigerians on new year's day, Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed the flagbearer of LP, Peter Obi, citing that he has an edge and the qualities required to lead Nigeria in this hard time.
Barely forty-eight hours, the Ijaw national leader and convener of PANDEF also threw his support to Mr Obi's candidacy.
The endorsement has attracted attacks from other political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign camp, Mr Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP claimed the endorsement does not reflect what Nigerians need; the APC described it as "worthless." The Presidency claimed Mr Obasanjo's letter was out of jealousy of the President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Others claimed that the duo who endorsed MR Obi always endorsed losers, and their endorsement is insignificant; as spokesman for the campaign council, Festus Keyamo said he felt sorry for the LP candidate.
After he met with Godwin Obaseki in Edo State, Kwankwaso said, "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."
"Nobody owns the voters. Voters do not have any forum to meet. Once people take a decision on a particular candidate, nothing will change whether somebody endorses from the north, south or outside the country; it doesn't matter.
"And I want to advise our leaders: they should stop disgracing themselves. We have so much respect for them."
Mr Kwankwaso insinuated that the endorsement was motivated by religion and region.
He said, "If I become that old and at that level, I won't come and play party politics, especially the one that has to do with religion. This endorsement has to do with ethnicity and religion; I think some people should grow beyond that.