Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), lacks the skill set to govern a modern economy.
Shettima also criticised the former vice-president’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Speaking on Monday at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Shettima described Atiku’s proposal as a move to take Nigeria backwards 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,” Shettima said.
“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.
“So it’s for you, as Nigerians, to make informed decisions. Even that certificate in sanitation, I know he will find it difficult to distinguish the difference between flu and COVID, that are airborne diseases, and Ebola that is human contact ailment. Nigerians would have to decide.” Shettima said.
He defended Tinubu’s decision to remove petrol subsidy, saying the president took the difficult decision because he understood the economic realities.
“The president took those painful decisions because he understands the dynamics,” he said.
Shettima also praised Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra state, describing him as one of his heroes in Nigerian politics despite their affiliation with 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’s an APGA governor of Anambra, but he’s a man of courage and conviction who can come out and go against the direction of the wind.”
