Shettima: Peter Obi has nothing to offer Nigerians beyond statistics

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised Peter Obi, saying the former Anambra State governor has nothing to offer Nigerians beyond citing statistics, as political debate over the Federal Government’s economic policies intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections.

Shettima made the remarks at an event in Abuja on Monday, where he urged members of Nigeria’s economic community to support the government’s policies, particularly the removal of 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.

“He was surviving on various statistics. So, I call on you, the crème de la crème of the Nigerian economic community, to support us.”

Shettima also defended the government’s fuel pricing policy by comparing petrol prices in Nigeria with those in neighbouring countries.

He said Nigeria consumed about 67 million litres of petrol daily a few years ago, arguing that the previous arrangement had implications for the country’s economy and its neighbours.

“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,” he said.

“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 added, “The comparison is wide. Nigeria was Christmas for other African countries.”

The Vice-President’s remarks come amid continued criticism of the government’s economic policies by opposition figures, including Obi, who has repeatedly questioned public spending and called for greater transparency, fiscal discipline and accountability.

Obi was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election and has emerged as a prominent critic of the Tinubu administration.

Shettima had previously described Obi as a “master of bogus statistics” during a political event in Abuja, reflecting the continuing exchanges between the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition figures following the 2023 election.

President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, shortly after assuming office. The decision was followed by a sharp rise in petrol prices and the cost of transportation and other goods and services.

The Federal Government has defended the policy as necessary to reduce the financial burden of subsidy payments on public finances, while opposition politicians have called for stronger measures to cushion the effects of rising living costs on Nigerians.