Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticised opposition presidential hopefuls Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 election, questioning their ability to run the country’s economy.
Speaking on Monday at the opening of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Shettima argued that neither candidate had demonstrated the capacity needed to manage Africa’s largest economy.
Quick facts
- Shettima spoke at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday.
- His comments targeted ADC candidate Atiku Abubakar and NDC candidate Peter Obi.
- He said Nigeria effectively subsidised fuel consumption beyond its borders during the petrol-subsidy period.
- He cited large differences between Nigerian petrol prices and prices in Benin Republic, Niger and Cameroon.
Addressing the former petrol-subsidy regime, the vice president said the price gap with neighbouring countries had encouraged Nigeria to support fuel consumption across the region.
“The gap was enormous. Nigeria acted as Father Christmas to other African countries,” Shettima said, referring to the differences in petrol prices between Nigeria, Benin Republic, Niger and Cameroon.
He said Atiku’s position on the fuel subsidy indicated that the former vice president did not possess the expertise required to oversee a modern national economy.
“He does not have the skill set to govern a modern economy. That is a painful truth,” Shettima said.
Shettima also addressed Obi, the former governor of Anambra State. While he said he respected Obi for stating that he would not bring back the petrol subsidy, he dismissed the candidate’s broader economic offering.
“I respect Peter Obi for having the courage to say he will not restore the petrol subsidy, but apart from repeating some statistics, Mr Peter Obi has absolutely nothing to offer,” he said.
