Vice-President Kashim Shettima has questioned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s chances of winning the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate has been unable to secure political consensus even in his home state of Adamawa.
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Shettima also criticised the credentials of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, arguing that his ability to import inexpensive South African wine did not establish him as an economic expert.
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He made the remarks on Wednesday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Ondo State, where he represented President Bola Tinubu. During the event, Shettima announced a target of 1.2 million votes for the APC in the state.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President said opposition parties could organise rallies on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram but questioned their ability to build political support across the country.
He argued that Atiku had failed to secure the backing of former governors in Adamawa, despite having served as Vice-President and maintained a longstanding political presence in the state.
Shettima listed former Adamawa governors Boni Haruna, Murtala Nyako, James Bala Ngilari, Mohammed Bindow Jibrilla and the incumbent, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, claiming that none was aligned with Atiku.
He also alleged that the ADC presidential candidate had three governorship candidates in Adamawa, questioning how he intended to unite the state and extend that political influence nationwide.
Turning to Obi, Shettima questioned the number of former governors of Anambra State who supported the former governor’s presidential ambition.
He specifically mentioned Chris Ngige, Willie Obiano and the incumbent governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, claiming that none was aligned with Obi.
The Vice-President also challenged the perception of Obi as an economic expert, arguing that importing inexpensive South African wines was not sufficient evidence of economic expertise.
On the APC’s prospects in Ondo State, Shettima said the party enjoyed broad support among influential political figures. He mentioned former Governor Olusegun Mimiko as one of those he claimed were aligned with Tinubu.
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Shettima noted that Ondo had 2.116 million registered voters and said the APC expected to secure at least 1.2 million votes in the presidential election scheduled for January 16.
He based the target on the number of registered voters and the reported 1.8 million Permanent Voter Cards collected in the state.
Earlier, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had pledged that the state would deliver at least one million votes for Tinubu, expressing confidence in the President’s support among residents.
However, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, described the governor’s one-million-vote target as insufficient.
Yari said the campaign was seeking a much larger vote margin for Tinubu rather than a narrow victory.
The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, said 18 political parties had presented presidential candidates ahead of the January 16 election.
He questioned which of the candidates possessed the experience, exposure, preparation and sense of purpose required to lead the country, arguing that Tinubu had demonstrated these qualities.
Yilwatda also defended the President’s economic record, claiming that Tinubu had confronted Nigeria’s economic difficulties and stabilised the economy. He added that more than 31 states that previously struggled to pay salaries could now meet their obligations.
The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, identified uncollected Permanent Voter Cards as a potential obstacle to achieving the APC’s target.
He said close to one million PVCs were still awaiting collection at Independent National Electoral Commission offices and urged supporters to collect theirs before the election.
Uzodimma encouraged party members to put aside their grievances, mobilise voters and participate in large numbers to support Tinubu at the polls.
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