Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), claiming that the former Anambra State governor has nothing to offer Nigerians beyond citing statistics.
Shettima made the remarks at an event in Abuja on Monday, October 26, 2026, where he urged members of Nigeria’s economic community to support the Federal Government’s policies and defended the removal of the petrol subsidy.
“I respect Peter Obi for having the courage to say he’s not going to restore the petrol subsidy, but beyond spouting some statistics, Mr Peter Obi has absolutely nothing to offer,” the Vice-President said.
“He was surviving on various statistics. So, I call on you, the crème de la crème of the Nigerian economic community, to support us,” he added.
Shettima compares fuel prices with neighbouring countries
The Vice-President also compared petrol prices in Nigeria with those in neighbouring countries, arguing that the figures illustrated the consequences of the country’s previous fuel pricing arrangements.
He said Nigeria consumed about 67 million litres of petrol daily a few years ago before citing figures for Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Cameroon and Nigeria.
“Now, in Niger Republic, a litre of fuel goes for approximately N1,148.36, in Benin Republic it goes for N1,729.29, and in Cameroon it goes for N1,945.50; in our country, it goes for N1,390,” Shettima said.
“The comparison is wide. Nigeria was Christmas for other African countries,” he added.
His remarks come amid continuing political debate over petrol subsidy removal and its impact on the economy, with opposition figures criticising the government’s handling of rising living costs.
Subsidy removal remains a point of political disagreement
The Federal Government removed the petrol subsidy in May 2023, shortly after President Bola Tinubu assumed office.
The decision was followed by increases in petrol prices, transportation costs and the prices of goods and services.
The government has defended the policy as necessary to reduce the financial burden of subsidy payments on public finances.
However, opposition politicians, including Obi, have called for greater transparency, fiscal discipline and accountability in public spending, alongside measures to ease the pressure on households.
Shettima’s latest comments also recall his earlier criticism of Obi, whom he described as a “master of bogus statistics” during a political event in Abuja.
The exchange reflects continuing disagreements between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition figures over economic policy and the direction of the country ahead of the 2027 general election.
