Kwankwaso Defends Obi Against Shettima's Criticism

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), responded to Vice President Kashim Shettima's characterization of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi as "the master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions." Shettima made this remark on Wednesday, October 14, during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja. Kwankwaso defended Obi on Channels Television's Today on Thursday, October 15, asserting that Obi possesses a strong command of economic data.

He stated that he personally verifies many of the statistics Obi presents and that most are accurate, acknowledging that occasional verbal slips can occur but do not reflect a consistent pattern as suggested by Shettima. This exchange signifies the growing rivalry between the NDC and the ruling APC as the 2027 general elections approach, with both parties' senior figures already engaging in pointed critiques of each other's candidates.