Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over comments he described as disrespectful to President Bola Tinubu, insisting that anyone aspiring to lead Nigeria must demonstrate discipline and respect for public institutions.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election.
He argued that Atiku’s repeated attempts to become president and his recent policy proposals did not justify what he considered disrespectful language towards the incumbent president. He also questioned how Atiku intended to fund his proposed production subsidies.
“Those who want 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.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Atiku Abubakar. I will still respect him and call him his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
“I will not follow suit with the maverick Babachir Lawal and call him Kachalla, no. But believe me, Atiku Abubakar, who has contested for the presidency of this country for the eighth time, is no Abraham Lincoln. He is more of Oginga Odinga.”
Shettima said presidential aspirants should demonstrate the character and conduct expected of someone seeking the country’s highest office, stressing that such ambitions come with significant responsibilities.
“The presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not an ordinary political prize. It is the highest expression of constitutional authority in our country. And those who aspire to occupy it must demonstrate, even before they get there, the qualities they will expect of themselves, if entrusted with the responsibility of leading more than 200 million Nigerians.
“Political ambition is not merely the desire to occupy public office. It is a test of character, cerebral strength, intellectual maturity, and responsibility. The higher the office a person seeks, the greater the discipline expected in his words, conduct, and relationship with public institutions,” he added.
Shettima questions Atiku’s production subsidy proposal
The vice-president also challenged Atiku’s proposal to introduce production subsidies, questioning its financial implications and the other government priorities that could lose funding as a result.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this political season has become a masterclass in cinematic comedy. Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal for production subsidies raises questions that some changes cannot answer. Who pays? Who benefits? And which competing priorities must surrender their funding? A change in ideological wardrobe cannot balance a national budget.”
The inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council took place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The event formally unveiled the expanded campaign structure as the ruling party prepared for the 2027 general election.