Rabiu Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), has criticized elder statesmen for supporting and endorsing their preferred candidates for the 2023 Presidential Elections.

Remember that Peter Obi was supported by Obasanjo, and the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark.

Kwankwaso believes it is wrong for anyone who is considered a stateman to endorse candidates in advance of the February 25th presidential election in Nigeria.

"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," the former Kano State governor said on Wednesday, January 4 in Benin City, Edo State .

Kwankwaso was welcomed by Governor Godwin Obake at the Government House, ahead of the flag-off of his presidential campaign in the state.

Kwankwaso insisted that the endorsements were based solely on religious and ethnic sentiments. They have no effect on electorates, who he claims are a lot wiser.

Kwankwaso said, “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.”