You are master of bogus statistics, Shettima shades Peter Obi

Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticized Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, for being a "master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions." Speaking at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Shettima, who described Obi as his "very good friend," mocked Obi's tendency to compare Nigeria with other countries, particularly Bangladesh.

Shettima argued that Obi's habit of making foreign comparisons overlooks the unique characteristics that distinguish one nation from another. He emphasized that governance requires an understanding of context, whether social, economic, political or institutional. He pointed out that what works in Bangladesh cannot simply be applied to Nigeria without considering the differences in population, economic structures, institutions, and national circumstances.

The VP further accused Obi of making "bogus claims" about winning the 2023 presidential election without any evidence to back up the assertion. Shettima described this as a "delusion of grandeur" and urged Obi to address the current political challenges rather than relying on outdated strategies. Obi has frequently pointed to Bangladesh as an example of Nigeria's economic struggles, particularly in the area of fund mismanagement.

In the 2023 election, Obi ran as the candidate of the Labour Party and finished third behind Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar. He challenged Tinubu's victory in court, but the Supreme Court upheld Tinubu's election. Obi is again seeking the presidency in the upcoming election on January 16, 2027, on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. The APC will launch its campaign on October 24 in Kaduna.