Precious Nwonu, Enugu

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his comments about President Bola Tinubu, declaring that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential hopeful is “no Abraham Lincoln”.

Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He argued that anyone aspiring to become Nigeria’s president must demonstrate maturity, discipline and respect for public institutions, insisting that political ambition should not justify what he considered disrespectful remarks about the incumbent president.

The Vice-President said Tinubu remained the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, regardless of political differences.

“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,” Shettima said.

He added that he would continue to address Atiku respectfully by his name and former title, despite their political rivalry.

“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,” he said.

However, Shettima questioned Atiku’s suitability for the presidency, comparing him to Kenyan independence-era politician Oginga Odinga rather than former United States President Abraham Lincoln.

“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,” the Vice-President stated.

Shettima maintained that the presidency was not merely a political prize but a position requiring exceptional character, intellectual capacity and responsibility because of the number of citizens a president is expected to lead.

He said the higher the office sought by a politician, the greater the expectations regarding the person’s words, conduct and relationship with public institutions.

The Vice-President also questioned Atiku’s proposal for production subsidies, asking how the policy would be financed and which other government programmes might lose funding to accommodate it.

Describing the political season as a “masterclass in cinematic comedy”, Shettima asked who would pay for the proposed subsidies and who would benefit from them.

“A change in ideological wardrobe cannot balance a national budget,” he said.

The comments came as the APC intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections with the inauguration of its expanded presidential campaign council.