Vice-President Kashim Shettima don knock former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over wetin he call disrespectful comments about President Bola Tinubu. Shettima yan say anybody wey wan become president must show discipline and respect for public institutions.
He talk on Wednesday for di inauguration of di All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for di 2027 election. For im remarks, Shettima say Atiku repeated presidential bids and recent policy proposals no mean say he go use language wey he see as disrespectful toward di sitting president. He also ask how Atiku proposed production subsidies go take get funding.
Shettima quote: ‘Those who want equity must come with clean hands. You can call him Bola. If you like, you can call him Adekunle. But di truth na say he be di President and Commander-in-Chief of di Armed Forces of di Federal Republic of Nigeria.’
He continue: ‘Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Atiku Abubakar. I will still respect him and call him his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. I will not follow suit with di maverick Babachir Lawal and call him Kachalla, no. But believe me, Atiku Abubakar, who don contest for presidency of dis country for di eighth time, no be Abraham Lincoln. He be more of Oginga Odinga.’
Shettima frame di criticism as argument about conduct wey presidential contenders suppose get. He talk say di higher di office person dey seek, di greater di responsibility candidates carry for dia words and how dem deal with public institutions.
He talk: ‘The presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not an ordinary political prize. It is the highest expression of constitutional authority in our country. And those who aspire to occupy it must demonstrate, even before they get there, the qualities they will expect of themselves, if entrusted with the responsibility of leading more than 200 million Nigerians.’
He add: ‘Political ambition is not merely the desire to occupy public office. It is a test of character, cerebral strength, intellectual maturity, and responsibility. The higher the office a person seeks, the greater the discipline expected in his words, conduct, and relationship with public institutions.’
When e turn to Atiku proposal on production subsidies, Shettima ask about di cost and competing priorities wey fit suffer. He talk: ‘Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this political season has become a masterclass in cinematic comedy. Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal for production subsidies raises questions that some changes cannot answer. Who pays? Who benefits? And which competing priorities must surrender their funding? A change in ideological wardrobe cannot balance a national budget.’
Di All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council inauguration hold for di Banquet Hall of di Presidential Villa in Abuja. Di event formally bring di expanded campaign structure into focus as di ruling party prepare for di 2027.
