2027: Peter Obi has nothing to offer Nigerians — Shettima

KTH Daily News Updates.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, saying he has nothing to offer Nigerians beyond citing statistics. In this edition of KTH Daily News Updates, you get comprehensive coverage of the latest developments. Shettima made the remarks at an event in Abuja on Monday, urging members of the country’s economic community to support the Federal Government’s policies and defending its position on petrol subsidy removal.
“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.
“He was surviving on various statistics. So, I call on you, the crème de la crème of the Nigerian economic community, to support us,” the Vice-President said.
Shettima also compared petrol prices in Nigeria with those in neighbouring countries, arguing that the figures showed 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.
“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.
“The comparison is wide. Nigeria was Christmas for other African countries,” he said.
The Vice President’s comments come amid continued political debate over the removal of the petrol subsidy and its economic consequences, with Obi and other opposition figures criticising aspects of the Federal Government’s handling of the economy.
Obi, a former Anambra State governor, has frequently relied on economic data and public spending figures in his criticism of government policies, while advocating greater 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 formed part of the exchanges between the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition figures following the 2023 presidential election.
The Federal Government removed the petrol subsidy in May 2023, shortly after President Bola Tinubu assumed office, triggering a sharp increase in petrol prices and the cost of transportation and other goods and services.To stay updated on such political issues, follow KTH Daily News Updates for impartial news and analysis.
The government has defended the decision as necessary to reduce the financial burden of subsidy payments on public finances, while opposition politicians have called for stronger measures to ease the impact of rising living costs on Nigerians.
This story is one of many covered by KTH Daily News Updates as part of its ongoing commitment to deliver timely news to readers. For future events and news, KTH Daily News Updates will continue providing prompt coverage.