Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi over his economic arguments and comparisons between Nigeria and other countries, particularly Bangladesh.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
While referring to Obi as his “very good friend,” the Vice President described him as a “master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions,” accusing the opposition figure of relying on comparisons that do not adequately reflect Nigeria's circumstances.
Shettima argued that economic policies that work in one country cannot automatically produce the same results in another because nations have different populations, institutions, economic structures and social conditions.
Using an analogy involving clothing sizes, he said Obi appeared convinced that a shirt designed for Bangladesh could fit Nigeria despite the differences between the two countries.
Shettima Questions Obi's Economic Comparisons
The Vice President maintained that Nigeria, with a population exceeding 250 million people, requires policies tailored to its unique circumstances rather than solutions borrowed from other countries without considering local realities.
His remarks followed Obi's repeated criticism of the Tinubu administration's economic management, including its borrowing practices.
In February, Obi argued that Nigeria's central problem was the mismanagement of public funds rather than borrowing itself.
Shettima also challenged Obi's claim that he won the 2023 presidential election, dismissing the assertion as unsupported.
Obi contested the election results in court, but the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal and upheld Bola Tinubu's victory in October 2023.
Obi Eyes Another Presidential Bid in 2027
The exchange comes as political activities intensify ahead of Nigeria's next presidential election, scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to the report.
Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential race as the Labour Party candidate, is seeking the presidency again under the Nigeria Democratic Congress platform.
Meanwhile, the APC is preparing to begin its presidential campaign in Kaduna on October 24.
Shettima's latest remarks add to the political exchanges between government officials and opposition figures as competing camps make their cases to Nigerian voters ahead of the election.
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