2027: Shettima Tackles Atiku, Obi, Challenges Presidential Candidates On Achievements In Office

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to justify his claim of having the experience required to lead Nigeria.

‎Shettima insisted that presidential leadership should be measured by achievements, institutional development and the ability to groom successors rather than years spent in public office.

‎He also took a swipe at the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, accusing him of losing the goodwill he previously enjoyed among Nigerians through what he described as misleading claims and bogus statistics.

‎The Vice President made the remarks on Friday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other prominent party leaders.

‎Speaking before the gathering, Shettima commended Governor Eno for his political decision to join the APC, describing it as a demonstration of courage, conviction, foresight, magnanimity and statesmanship.

‎He said the governor’s decision, alongside those of other political leaders who had aligned with President Tinubu, reflected confidence in the President’s leadership and vision for the country.

‎Turning to the opposition, the Vice President criticised Peter Obi over his economic prescriptions and public statements, alleging that the former Anambra State governor had squandered the goodwill he previously enjoyed from the people.

‎“I hear my friend Peter Obi is back in the country after sneaking out to have a rest. He might have avoided Lagos and Abuja on arrival, but clearly this gentleman has run himself out of this race with his lies and bogus statistics,” he said.

‎He added that Obi no longer generated the political excitement he once commanded, arguing that his recent interventions had increasingly attracted suspicion rather than confidence.

‎Shettima, however, devoted a substantial part of his address to questioning Atiku Abubakar’s claim of being the most experienced candidate for the presidency.

‎He acknowledged Atiku’s background in the Nigeria Customs Service and his eight-year tenure as Vice-President between 1999 and 2007 but argued that occupying public offices for several years did not automatically translate into effective leadership.

‎“Experience cannot be established merely by counting the years spent in public service. The more important questions are what one accomplished, which institutions one strengthened, and which leaders one prepared to carry forward a common duty,” he stated.

‎He also cited Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos State governor between 1999 and 2007 and the political succession that produced former governors – Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode and Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

‎The Vice President also questioned Atiku’s political influence in Adamawa State, his home state, citing the succession of governors since the return of democracy in 1999.

‎He maintained that a presidential aspirant seeking to unite Nigeria’s diverse population must demonstrate the capacity to resolve divisions within his political family, home state and sub-region.

‎He further criticised Atiku’s handling of the privatisation of national assets during the Obasanjo administration, alleging irregularities, corruption and procedural abuses.

‎However, Shettima maintained that Nigerians had the responsibility to scrutinise the records, achievements and shortcomings of all presidential aspirants, including President Tinubu.

‎“The presidency is not a retirement banquet for long years in politics. It is a responsibility that must be earned through ideas, competence, organisation, public confidence and demonstrable results,” he declared.

‎He added that political experience should translate into sound judgment, leadership should produce successors, enterprise should create lasting value, and political influence should build institutions capable of surviving beyond individual ambitions.

‎“The question is no longer how long you have been in politics; it is what your years in politics have built, whom you have raised, and what has endured. The records are there. Let Nigerians judge,” Shettima said.

‎He subsequently thanked the people of Akwa Ibom State for the warm reception accorded President Tinubu and his entourage, expressing confidence in the state’s political support for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

‎He also expressed optimism that the state would experience greater development and enhanced opportunities from January 2027, before concluding his address with prayers for Akwa Ibom State and its people.