Shettima Slams Peter Obi Over Economic Comparisons, Questions 2023 Election Claims

Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi over his assessment of Nigeria’s economic policies, describing him as the “master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions.”

Shettima made the comments on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the State House Banquet Hall in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Although he referred to Obi as “my very good friend,” the vice president challenged the former governor’s habit of comparing Nigeria’s economic performance with that of other countries, particularly Bangladesh.

According to Shettima, economic policies that deliver results in one country may not necessarily work in another because of differences in population, institutions, economic structures and other national circumstances.

Using an analogy to illustrate his argument, the vice president said Obi appeared to believe that a shirt designed for Bangladesh would fit Nigeria despite the countries’ different sizes and needs.

“He seems convinced that a size 36 shirt tailored for Bangladesh will somehow fit Nigeria’s size 52 frame,” Shettima said.

He argued that effective economic management required policies tailored to Nigeria’s specific conditions rather than the adoption of foreign models without considering local realities.

Shettima also pointed to Nigeria’s population of more than 250 million, maintaining that the country’s scale and complexity demanded solutions designed around its unique challenges.

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

Shettima Challenges Obi’s Claims About the 2023 Election

The vice president also questioned Obi’s claim that he won the 2023 presidential election, dismissing the assertion as unsupported.

He further criticised what he described as attempts to rely on past political narratives to address the country’s future challenges.

Despite his strong remarks, Shettima maintained that he respected Obi and described the former governor as a personal friend.

Obi contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, finishing third behind Bola Tinubu of the APC and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Following the declaration of Tinubu as the winner, Obi challenged the outcome in court. However, the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal and upheld Tinubu’s election in October 2023.

Obi has repeatedly cited Bangladesh in his criticism of the Federal Government’s economic management, including its approach to borrowing and public spending.

In February, the former Anambra governor argued that Nigeria’s major economic problem was not borrowing itself but how public funds were managed and utilised.

His comments have formed part of his broader criticism of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and calls for greater accountability in public finance.

According to the report, Obi is seeking the presidency again in the January 16, 2027 election under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

Meanwhile, the APC is scheduled to commence its presidential campaign in Kaduna on October 24 as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general election.