The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has responded to allegations that its 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is an ethnic bigot.
The former Kano State Governor was labelled an ethnic bigot following his statement in Gombe State last weekend while inaugurating the Gombe State Executive of the party.
He is quoted as saying during the event that the Igbos are good business people but poor politicians.
NNPP in his defence stated that Kwankwanso’s comment on Ndigbo and people of the South-East was misrepresented and taken out of context.
This was disclosed in a Sallah message on Saturday issued by the National publicity secretary, Agbo Major, at the party secretariat in Abuja.
Agbo emphasised that Kwankwaso has deep-seated respect for the people of the South-East and all Nigerians, adding that the party’s presidential candidate will never speak less of any ethnic group or religion.
He added that the NNPP was founded by an illustrious son of Ndigbo, Dr Boniface Aniebunam, who was also the pioneer National Chairman and currently the Chairman of its Board of Trustees.
“Kwankwaso’s recent comments on the good people of South-East were misunderstood and taken out of context. He is a man of honour who loves all Nigerians passionately and desires to serve them as president if voted into office.
“The state of the nation is bad and calls for patriotism by all Nigerians to confront multifarious challenges bedevilling the country. NNPP urges eligible voters to take advantage of the extension of the INEC voter registration to register and obtain their permanent voter cards and ensure they vote for New Nigeria People’s Party candidates in all elections.”
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NNPP Responds to Allegations of Kwankwaso Being an Ethnic Bigot