Atiku Abubakar Refuses to Engage Kashim Shettima

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria, stated that he would not engage in a verbal exchange with current Vice President Kashim Shettima, whom he labeled as "disrespectful." In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Atiku criticized Shettima for challenging him to provide a scorecard of his achievements during his tenure from 1999 to 2007, particularly regarding projects executed in Northern Nigeria. Atiku expressed his commitment to maintaining respect and decorum in political discourse, highlighting that such values are crucial in the cultural context of Northern Nigeria, known as Arewa.

He asserted that he cannot respond to Shettima's disrespectful attitude, which he believes does not reflect the values of the Arewa people. Atiku's remarks come as political tensions rise ahead of the 2027 elections, with Shettima continuing to direct political jabs at him.