The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has reacted to reports of endorsing his counterparts in the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the 2023 election.
KEMI FILANI NEWS had reported that Kwankwaso, during an interview with Arise TV, said if he cannot get the 2023 presidency, he would recommend Tinubu for the position.
However, the former Kano State governor has denied endorsing Tinubu for the presidency in 2023.
According to a statement by his campaign organisation and signed by Muyi Fatosa, the claim that Kwankwaso “recommended” Tinubu for the nation’s top job is false.
Fatosa said the ex-Defence Minister “is still fully in the presidential race and not distracted by the misleading report”.
He explained that some people didn’t understand Kwankwaso’s comment during his Sunday interview with Arise News.
The aide quoted Kwankwaso saying: “Bola Tinubu is my friend of many years; if I had not contested, I would have recommended him.
“I do not play politics of bitterness. We are both in the presidential race, but I am a better candidate.”
Fatosa expressed disappointment on how Kwankwanso’s statement was misconstrued to mean an endorsement of Tinubu.
“Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has not in any way endorsed Bola Tinubu and urged the public to always verify the authenticity of whatever they see on the media”, he advised.
The campaign said consultations by the former Senator across all the States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had been positive.
“Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is still the candidate to beat in the 2023 presidential election”, the statement added.