Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying the former Anambra State governor has nothing to offer Nigerians beyond citing economic statistics.
Shettima made the remarks in Abuja on Monday while urging members of Nigeria’s economic community to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration and defending the Federal Government’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy.
“I respect Peter Obi for having the courage to say he’s not going to restore the petrol subsidy, but beyond spouting some statistics, Mr Peter Obi has absolutely nothing to offer,” the Vice-President said.
Shettima further criticised Obi’s reliance on figures in his arguments, urging members of the economic community to support the government.
“He was surviving on various statistics. So, I call on you, the crème de la crème of the Nigerian economic community, to support us,” he said.
The Vice-President also compared petrol prices in Nigeria with those in neighbouring countries, arguing that the figures illustrated the implications of the country’s previous fuel pricing arrangements.
“What is the price of fuel in our neighbouring communities? A few years ago, Nigeria was consuming around 67 million litres of fuel per day,” Shettima said.
He added that petrol prices in neighbouring countries were higher than the figure he cited for Nigeria.
“Now, in Niger Republic, a litre of fuel goes for approximately N1,148.36, in Benin Republic it goes for N1,729.29, and in Cameroon it goes for N1,945.50; in our country, it goes for N1,390,” he said.
“The comparison is wide. Nigeria was Christmas for other African countries,” the Vice-President added.
Shettima’s comments come amid continuing political debate over the removal of the petrol subsidy and its effects on the Nigerian economy, as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.
Obi has frequently used economic data and public spending figures to criticise government policies, while advocating transparency, fiscal discipline and accountability in public administration.
Shettima’s latest remarks also recall his earlier criticism of Obi, whom he described as a “master of bogus statistics” during a political event in Abuja. The phrase was part of exchanges between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition figures following the 2023 presidential election.
The Federal Government removed the petrol subsidy in May 2023, shortly after Tinubu assumed office. The decision was followed by an increase in petrol prices and transportation costs, contributing to higher living expenses for households and businesses.
The administration has defended the policy as necessary to reduce the financial burden of subsidy payments on public finances. Opposition politicians, however, have called for stronger measures to cushion Nigerians against rising living costs.
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