Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticised Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar over their economic credentials, accusing the opposition presidential candidates of promoting flawed economic ideas ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Shettima.

 

The vice president described Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), as a politician known for what he called “bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions.”

 

He argued that economic policies that work in other countries could not be applied directly to Nigeria without considering the country’s population, economic structure and peculiar circumstances.

 

Taking a swipe at the former Anambra State governor, Shettima said Nigeria’s economic realities differed significantly from those of Bangladesh.

 

“Peter Obi, the master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions, seems convinced that a size 36 shirt tailored for Bangladesh will somehow fit Nigeria’s size 52 frame,” he said.

 

“What succeeds in Bangladesh cannot simply be transplanted to Nigeria without accounting for differences in our population and economic structure.”

 

Shettima Defends Tinubu, Warns Opposition

The vice president also defended Tinubu’s position as president, insisting that political opponents should distinguish between criticising the administration and disrespecting the office of the president.

 

Shettima described Tinubu as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, saying he had been entrusted with leading the country.

 

He maintained that although opposition figures were free to challenge the APC on policies and governance, they should recognise the dignity of the office Tinubu occupies.

 

“…entrusted with leading 200 million Nigerians, those who come with equity must come with clean hands. You can call him Bola. If you like, you can call him Adekunle, but the truth is that he is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Shettima said.

 

Vice President Mocks Atiku’s Presidential Ambition

Shettima also directed his criticism at Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), questioning his economic expertise and making remarks about his repeated attempts to become president.

 

The vice president said he would continue to address Atiku respectfully by his former office but would not adopt the nickname reportedly used for him by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

 

“Atiku Abubakar, I will still respect him and call him a former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. I will not follow suit with Babachir Lawal and call him Kachalla. No,” he said.

 

However, Shettima took a swipe at Atiku’s repeated presidential bids, saying the former vice president had contested for the nation’s highest office eight times.

 

“But believe me, Atiku Abubakar, who has contested presidency of this country for the 8th time, he’s not Abraham Lincoln. He’s more of Odinga Odinga,” Shettima added.

 

Shettima Questions Atiku’s Economic Credentials

The vice president further challenged Atiku’s economic credentials, arguing that experience in tax collection did not automatically make someone an authority on economic management.

 

He urged Nigerians to be cautious about economic proposals from opposition politicians, describing some of their ideas as “economic voodoos.”

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“Anyone with elementary arithmetic can be a tax collector. With ability to collect taxes does not transform one into an economic guru,” Shettima said.

 

He added that Nigerians should avoid listening to people he claimed did not understand the dynamics of the modern economy.

 

“With all due respect to Vice President Atiku Abubakar, he was trained in Kano School of Hygiene as Duba-gari in Hausa and Wole-wole in Yoruba,” he said.

 

APC Promises Issue-Based Campaign, Warns Opponents

Despite his attacks on Obi and Atiku, Shettima said the APC intended to focus on ideas and policies throughout the 2027 election campaign.

 

He described the opposition candidates as fellow Nigerians and brothers rather than enemies, suggesting that political disagreements should be addressed through competing ideas.

 

However, he warned that the ruling party would respond to any perceived insult directed at Tinubu.

 

“But let us make it very clear: if anyone takes insults and takes this man seated here (Tinubu) for granted, we will reply appropriately,” Shettima said.

 

“Anyone who is not willing to respect others does not deserve to be respected.”

 

Shettima’s remarks came as the APC formally inaugurated its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections, signalling the party’s preparations for a contest expected to feature prominent opposition figures, including Obi and Atiku.

 

The inauguration provided a platform for the vice president to defend Tinubu’s leadership while challenging the economic arguments and political credentials of the opposition candidates ahead of the polls.

 

 

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Excerpt: Vice President Kashim Shettima has described Peter Obi’s economic prescriptions as incoherent and questioned Atiku Abubakar’s economic credentials during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 elections.

 

Tags: Kashim Shettima, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu, APC, NDC, ADC, 2027 Elections, Nigerian Politics, Presidential Campaign Council