Vice‑President Shettima criticises Peter Obi’s reliance on foreign data and unverified election claims

Shettima’s remarks at the APC campaign launch During the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Vice‑President Kashim Shettima used the platform to challenge the policy narrative of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He described Obi as habitually citing statistics that he considered unreliable and warned that such figures could mislead a nation of more than 250 million people.

Opposition to foreign‑model comparisons Shettima argued that borrowing economic prescriptions from other countries, particularly Bangladesh, ignores the distinct demographic, institutional and structural realities of Nigeria. He suggested that applying a development model designed for a much smaller population would be akin to forcing a garment tailored for a different size onto a larger frame. According to the vice‑president, governance requires solutions that are rooted in local context rather than transplanted from abroad.

Accusations of unverified election claims In addition to the critique of statistical usage, Shettima accused Obi of making unfounded statements about the outcome of the 2023 presidential election. He asserted that Obi offered no evidence to support his claim of victory, labeling the assertion as a “bogus claim”. The vice‑president framed this as an example of what he termed a “delusion of grandeur”, implying that such rhetoric distracts from substantive policy debate.

Call for respectful political discourse Despite the sharp criticism, Shettima emphasized the importance of treating political opponents with respect. He characterised fellow candidates as “brothers” and “countrymen”, urging APC supporters to focus on ideas and policies rather than personal attacks. He pledged that the party would respond to criticism with factual evidence and reasoned argument, rather than emotional appeals.

Context of the upcoming election The comments came as Nigeria approaches a tightly contested presidential election, with the APC, NDC and the Labour Party all vying for the electorate’s support. Shettima’s statements reflect the APC’s strategy of positioning itself as the party that understands Nigeria’s unique challenges, while casting rival candidates as overly reliant on external benchmarks and unverified narratives.

Reactions and implications While the vice‑president’s remarks were reported by multiple local outlets, there has been no immediate response from Obi or the NDC to address the accusations. Political analysts note that such public exchanges are typical of the heated pre‑election environment, and that the effectiveness of Shettima’s arguments will likely be judged by voters in the coming weeks.