We’ll do everything lawful to protect Kwankwaso – Kwankwasiyya tells Primate Ayodele

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has sent a strong warning to Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos, declaring that it will pursue every lawful means to protect the name, reputation and political integrity of its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The movement, in a statement issued on Wednesday night by its spokesperson, Habeeb Sale Mohammed, said it welcomes criticism as part of democracy but will not tolerate what it described as lies, malicious allegations and deliberate attempts to damage Kwankwaso’s reputation.

The statement came after Ayodele allegedly made comments questioning Kwankwaso’s loyalty to Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

Ayodele was reported to have said: “Kwankwaso is a fake to Obi, Kwankwaso will betray you. Kwankwaso has been paid to be vice president to Obi.”

But Kwankwasiyya said such claims crossed the line between political commentary and character assassination.

“We are open to criticism, but not lies,” the movement said.

According to the group, freedom of expression does not give anyone the right to spread what it called falsehood against a public figure.

It said democratic debate must be driven by facts, evidence and honesty, not allegations designed to mislead the public, create division or damage reputations.

“There is a clear distinction between legitimate political criticism and the deliberate publication of falsehoods designed to deceive the public, damage reputations, incite hatred or create divisions,” the statement added.

The movement said Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and NDC vice-presidential candidate, has spent decades in public service and has always shown tolerance in the face of criticism and political opposition.

However, it insisted that tolerance should not be mistaken for weakness.

“Neither Senator Kwankwaso nor the Kwankwasiyya Movement is afraid of criticism or political opposition,” it said.

“But we will not fold our arms and watch individuals deliberately manufacture lies, spread malicious allegations or engage in character assassination under the guise of political commentary.”

Kwankwasiyya warned that anyone making damaging claims against Kwankwaso must be ready to defend such claims through lawful channels.

“Any individual or group that intentionally disseminates false and malicious allegations against our leader should be prepared to defend such claims through lawful and appropriate channels,” the movement said.

It added that no individual, regardless of office, status or public influence, would be allowed to hide behind title or platform to spread what it described as falsehood against its leader.

“No individual is above the law. No office is too high. No position is too influential,” the statement said.

“Whether the source of the falsehood is a politician, a cleric, a traditional ruler, a media personality or any other public figure, we shall not hesitate to pursue every lawful remedy available to protect the integrity, reputation and dignity of our leader and our movement.”

The statement reflects the familiar combative posture of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, which has built its identity around fierce loyalty to Kwankwaso and a disciplined defence of his political brand.

The group said since Kwankwaso emerged as Obi’s running mate on the NDC platform, he has been working to build alliances across the country ahead of the 2027 elections.

It added that the Obi-Kwankwaso partnership has continued to inspire Nigerians seeking what it called credible leadership.

“It is not surprising that the growing acceptance of Senator Kwankwaso and the rapid rise of the NDC have become a source of concern to some political interests,” the statement said.

The movement accused unnamed interests of resorting to misinformation and personal attacks instead of engaging in healthy political competition.

“Such malicious and unprovoked attacks will neither distract us nor discourage us from pursuing our vision for a more prosperous and united Nigeria,” it added.

Kwankwasiyya said it would continue to defend Kwankwaso against claims it considers false, insisting that public debate must not be used as a weapon for political blackmail.