Shettima Labels Obi's Election Victory Claim a 'Delusion of Grandeur'"

Vice President Kashim Shettima has sharply criticized Peter Obi, dismissing the former Labour Party presidential candidate's claim of winning the 2023 election as a “delusion of grandeur.”

 Shettima’s remarks came during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja.

Addressing Obi directly, Shettima challenged the former candidate to provide evidence substantiating his assertions. “I respect Peter Obi, but he has strayed from philosophy into making unfounded claims about winning the 2023 election without any evidence,” he stated.

Shettima also took aim at Obi’s economic proposals, characterizing them as overly reliant on foreign comparisons that fail to resonate with Nigeria’s unique circumstances. He quipped, “Mr. Peter Obi, the master of bogus statistics, seems to believe that his size 36 shirt for Bangladesh will fit Nigeria’s size 52.”

The Vice President emphasized the importance of context in governance, arguing that the complexities of Nigeria cannot be addressed through borrowed statistics. “A country of over 200 million people cannot be governed with economic prescriptions detached from its peculiarities,” he asserted.

During the inauguration event at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Shettima reiterated that effective governance requires an understanding of the nation’s specific social, economic, and political landscape. 

He warned against the dangers of applying foreign models without considering Nigeria's distinct challenges. “Governance is an act that demands mastery of context,” he noted, urging for tailored solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.

Shettima's comments come amid ongoing disputes over the legitimacy of the 2023 election results. The Vice President’s remarks reflected the APC's strategy as they gear up for the 2027 general elections, emphasizing their commitment to addressing economic issues through locally relevant policies.

The inauguration event formally launched an expanded campaign structure for the ruling party, signaling their readiness to tackle challenges ahead. As the political landscape heats up, Shettima's remarks are likely to fuel ongoing debates about election integrity and governance.

With the 2027 elections on the horizon, both the APC and Obi's camp appear poised for a fierce battle over the narrative surrounding past and future governance in Nigeria.