Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, saying he lacks the skills required to govern a modern economy.
Shettima also faulted Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, for proposing to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Speaking on Monday at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Shettima described the proposal as an attempt to reverse economic reforms for political convenience.
“One of the leading presidential candidates (Atiku) is advocating a return to the subsidy scheme. He wants us to backslide into primitivity for political convenience,” he said.
The vice-president also questioned Atiku’s professional background, noting that he was trained in sanitation at the Kano School of Hygiene.
“I dare to put forward that his skill set… he was trained in sanitation at the Kano School of Hygiene. So he doesn’t have the skill set to govern a modern economy. That’s a painful truth,” Shettima said.
He further questioned Atiku’s understanding of infectious diseases, arguing that Nigerians should carefully assess the candidates before making their electoral choices.
Shettima defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove petrol subsidy, saying the president took the difficult step because he understood the country’s economic realities.
“The president took those painful decisions because he understands the dynamics,” he said.
The vice-president also praised Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, describing him as one of his heroes in Nigerian politics despite their membership of different political parties.
“And this gentleman seated here is one of my heroes in the Nigerian political equation. We belong to different political fraternities,” Shettima said.
He described Soludo, who belongs to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as a courageous leader willing to take difficult positions even when they run against popular opinion.