Nigeria cannot run on borrowed statistics, Shettima tells Obi, Atiku

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over their economic proposals, saying Nigeria’s peculiarities make it unsuitable to rely on policies imported from other countries.

Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, where he defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms and made a case for his re-election in 2027.

He argued that Nigeria’s population of more than 250 million and its distinct economic and institutional realities required solutions tailored to the country rather than statistics and prescriptions borrowed from elsewhere.

“A country of over 250 million people cannot be governed through borrowed statistics and economic prescriptions detached from its peculiarities,” the Vice-President said.

He specifically criticised Obi’s use of foreign economic comparisons, arguing that policies that worked in Bangladesh could not simply be transferred to Nigeria without considering differences in population, economic structures and institutions.

Although he said he respected the former Anambra State governor, Shettima faulted his claim to have won the 2023 presidential election, saying he had not provided evidence to support it.

He went further to describe Obi as “the master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions”.

Shettima also criticised Atiku, who has made several attempts to become president, saying the pursuit of political office must be backed by character, discipline and an understanding of the responsibilities of leadership.

However, he urged APC members to avoid personal attacks on opposition figures, insisting that the campaign should focus on policies, records and ideas.

“For the rest of the duration of this campaign, we’ll discuss ideas, we’ll discuss policies, but we’ll treat all our opponents with respect and dignity. They are not our enemies. They are our brothers. They are our countrymen. They are our leaders,” he said.