You are master of bogus statistics, Shettima shades Peter Obi

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

He argued that Obi's fascination with foreign comparisons neglects crucial differences between the two countries.

Shettima emphasized that governance requires a deep understanding of context, including social, economic, political, and institutional factors. He stressed that what works in Bangladesh cannot be simply transplanted to Nigeria without accounting for its unique population, economic structures, institutions, and national circumstances.

The Vice President stated that a country as large as Nigeria, with over 250 million people, cannot be governed through borrowed statistics and economic prescriptions that do not consider its specific characteristics.

While respecting Obi's views, Shettima accused him of making "a bogus claim" about winning the 2023 presidential election without any supporting evidence, describing it as a case of "delusion of grandeur." Obi has repeatedly used Bangladesh as an example to criticize the Tinubu administration's economic management, including its borrowing patterns. In February, he claimed that Nigeria's issue lies in fund mismanagement rather than borrowing.

In the 2023 presidential race, Obi finished third behind Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, challenging Tinubu's victory in court. However, the Supreme Court rejected his appeal, confirming Tinubu's election in October 2023. Obi is running for the presidency again in the upcoming election on January 16, 2027, on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. The APC will commence its campaign in Kaduna on October 24.