Selahattin Demirtaş, co-chairman of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and current presidential candidate, said on Monday that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is wealthier than many Arab sheikhs.

“One of the wealthiest leaders of the world is ruling our country. The person who governs Turkey is wealthier than many Arab sheikhs,” Demirtaş said while attending an iftar held in Mardin’s Kızıltepe district.

“Those who say that they follow this person because of God’s instructions should look at the Prophet and him. On one hand is the Prophet of Islam, who passed away with only a shroud next to him. On the other hand, look at those who run the country all while often mentioning the Prophet’s name. If you are keen on having that great amount of property and money, we have nothing to say. But a person cannot both worship God and money at the same time. You have to abandon the worship of one of these. This system should end.”

Arguing that this malicious attitude dominated Turkey for years, Demirtaş went on to say: “Those who claim that they favor people are the same people who have stolen the most. Do not give them credit. The upcoming presidential election is a chance to teach them a lesson. There are no two candidates in front of us. There is only one candidate. The understanding is the same and it is represented in the two different political parties. There is no difference actually. According to this understanding, the state is sacred. According to our understanding, the state serves its people. We will continue our struggle to place this understanding in governance.”

Demirtaş called on Erdoğan, the Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) candidate in the presidential election, and Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, the joint candidate of the main opposition Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), to declare their assets accurately.

“Can both Erdoğan and İhsanoğlu commit to declaring all of their assets? How can those who hide their assets from people rule the country? How can people believe in those who hide the real amount of their assets from others? Let’s assume that they convinced a part of society to believe their lies. But how can they convince God?” Demirtaş asked.