The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has stated that the statement of its presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at the occasion of the inauguration of Gombe state executive of the party was situated out of context.
Kwankwaso was quoted to have said that the Igbos were only good in business but at the bottom of politics in Nigeria.
NNPP said the said attribution was said to have generated some ill-feelings in some political circles in Nigeria, especially, between the South East and the NNPP.
But the NNPP’s National chairman, Prof Rufai Alkali, on Tuesday stated that its presidential candidate, Kwankwaso has always emphasised that the Igbos were frontrunners in the fight for the nation’s struggle for independence.
Alkali said the report was falsely credited to the National leader and presidential candidate of the party, His Excellency, Senator Mohammed Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The statement said, “However, as a party that is desirous to change the situation of the country, we believe that no Nigerian of any geopolitical zone, tribe, ethnic nationality, or religious persuasion is least on the rung of the ladder in the whole effort to bring the desired change in the country.
“The NNPP wishes to categorically state that the statement of its Presidential Candidate, Senator Kwankwaso at the occasion was situated out of contest, as the NNPP presidential candidate has always emphasized that the Igbos were frontrunners in the fight for the nation’s struggle for independence, and had produced the first President of the country in the person of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, first President of the Senate Dr. Nwafor Orizu, former Vice President, late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, four former Presidents of the Senate from 1999 to date and other top political office holders.
“NNPP as a political party on the ballot in 2023 believes that it has what it takes like some other political parties to rejuvenate the present situation of the country and will not in any way disparage any zone or people of any political party.
“It is pertinent to state that the discussions with any political party or individual is an ongoing thing that would bring the desired change of a new Nigeria. However, the party or its Presidential candidate would not in any way malign any zone or any individual as we believe that NNPP we desire the votes of all the zones and all electorate to govern Nigeria.
“We want to state that NNPP will canvass votes from all geo-political zones to win the 2023 presidential election and would not in any way consider any zone less as we have supporters and candidates all over the country.”
