Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying his ability to “import cheap South African wines” does not qualify him as an economic expert.
Gatekeepers News reports that Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where he questioned Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State and his understanding of Nigeria’s economy.
The vice-president also argued that Obi lacked the support of former Anambra governors Chris Ngige and Willie Obiano, as well as the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo.
“It is cheap to vie for presidency in Nigeria, especially for my big friend, Peter Obi, who thinks cloud chasing, like he went out of protocol to welcome our young victorious Flamingos; the female footballers are what it entails,” Shettima said.
“You must have grassroots and stakeholders’ support. When the president said he ran away from erosion, believe me, he did.
“But then, how many of the past governors of Anambra are with him? Is Chris Ngige with him? The answer is no. Is Willie Obiano with him? The answer is no. Is my friend Charles Chukwuma Soludo with him? The answer is no.”
Shettima further dismissed Obi’s reputation as an economic expert, arguing that his business activities and claims of economic knowledge did not demonstrate the capacity to manage the country’s economy.
“Your excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the ability to import cheap South African wines doesn’t make one a guru in economics,” he said.
The vice-president also described Obi’s performance as Anambra governor as mediocre, while suggesting that the former governor benefits from the quality of leadership provided by President Bola Tinubu in Lagos.
“Peter Obi, in spite of all his pretensions about the knowledge of the economy, his performance as the governor of Anambra was best mediocre, and Peter Obi calls Lagos home… and that goes to show that he is benefitting from the quality of leadership provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos,” Shettima added.
He challenged opposition presidential candidates to present concrete evidence of their achievements during Nigeria’s 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
Shettima also claimed that influential political stakeholders in Ondo State had reached a consensus in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general election.
“And for the people of Ondo, as we are talking, there is a universal elite consensus backing the president here in Ondo,” he said.
“Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko is firmly on board.”
