Vice-President Kashim Shettima has taken a swipe at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, declaring that the former presidential candidate is “no Abraham Lincoln” while criticising his comments about President Bola Tinubu.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He accused Atiku of failing to show the respect he believes is due to the office of the President, arguing that anyone seeking Nigeria’s highest political office must demonstrate discipline, maturity and respect for public institutions.
Shettima said Atiku’s repeated attempts to become president did not excuse what he considered disrespectful language towards Tinubu, whom he described as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Those who want equity must come with clean hands. You can call him Bola. If you like, you can call him Adekunle.
“But the truth is that he is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The Vice-President added that he would continue to address Atiku respectfully by his full title, despite their political differences.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Atiku Abubakar. I will still respect him and call him his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
“I will not follow suit with the maverick Babachir Lawal and call him Kachalla, no.
“But believe me, Atiku Abubakar, who has contested for the presidency of this country for the eighth time, is no Abraham Lincoln. He is more of Oginga Odinga,” Shettima said.
He maintained that the presidency was not an ordinary political prize but the highest expression of constitutional authority in Nigeria, insisting that aspirants must demonstrate the qualities required for leadership before assuming office.
“The presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not an ordinary political prize. It is the highest expression of constitutional authority in our country.
“And those who aspire to occupy it must demonstrate, even before they get there, the qualities they will expect of themselves, if entrusted with the responsibility of leading more than 200 million Nigerians.
“Political ambition is not merely the desire to occupy public office. It is a test of character, cerebral strength, intellectual maturity, and responsibility.
“The higher the office a person seeks, the greater the discipline expected in his words, conduct, and relationship with public institutions,” he added.
Shettima also questioned Atiku’s proposal for production subsidies, demanding to know how the policy would be funded and which other government priorities might lose funding as a result.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this political season has become a masterclass in cinematic comedy.
“Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal for production subsidies raises questions that some changes cannot answer. Who pays? Who benefits?
“And which competing priorities must surrender their funding? A change in ideological wardrobe cannot balance a national budget,” he said.
The remarks came as the APC stepped up preparations for the 2027 general election with the inauguration of its expanded presidential campaign council.
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