Former Kano State governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has distanced himself from a viral social media message claiming that he is mobilising supporters for a nationwide protest over the worsening security situation in the country.
Kwankwaso described the message as false, misleading and the handiwork of individuals seeking to spread disinformation, insisting that neither he nor any of his political associates is involved in organising any protest.
The former governor made the clarification in a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, where he urged Nigerians to disregard the circulating message and avoid being misled by unverified information.
According to him, while insecurity remains a serious national challenge that requires urgent attention, he does not support actions that could lead to violence, destruction of property or a breakdown of law and order.
“Our attention has been drawn to a message currently circulating on social media falsely claiming that we are planning a protest over the rising insecurity in the country,” Kwankwaso said.
“We do not support any action that could lead to the breakdown of public order or the destruction of lives and property. As responsible leaders, we remain committed to peaceful and constructive approaches in addressing national challenges.”
Kwankwaso stressed that democratic processes remain the most appropriate avenue for citizens to express dissatisfaction with governance and seek political change, noting that elections provide a legitimate platform for addressing national concerns.
He reaffirmed his commitment to democratic ideals and urged Nigerians to continue engaging constructively within the framework of the law.
“As committed democrats, we firmly believe that the ballot box remains the most legitimate and effective way to express grievances and seek change,” he stated.
The former governor also expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of the NDC ahead of future elections, saying the party remains focused on securing victory through peaceful and democratic means rather than street protests.
“Our party, the NDC, is confident of securing a resounding victory in the upcoming elections through peaceful democratic means,” he added.
Kwankwaso warned against the growing spread of fake news and misinformation on social media, urging members of the public to verify information before sharing it.
He advised Nigerians to ignore those behind the viral message, describing the claims as baseless and intended to mislead the public.
“The general public is therefore advised to disregard the false message and ignore those peddling such disinformation,” the statement read.
The clarification comes amid heightened public concern over insecurity in parts of the country and increased political activities ahead of the next general elections.
