Shettima faults Atiku for calling Tinubu by first name, says it shows lack of discipline, maturity
Mercy Ajekigbe
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his remarks about President Bola Tinubu, saying that anyone seeking the presidency must demonstrate discipline, maturity and respect for public institutions.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general election.
In his remarks, Shettima stressed that political ambition goes beyond the desire to occupy public office, arguing that the higher the office sought, the greater the discipline expected of the aspirant in conduct and dealings with public institutions.
“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 said.
“Shettima maintained that Atiku’s remarks, which he considered disrespectful, would not change the fact that Tinubu remains 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.
“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 added.
The vice-president further questioned whether the responsibility of governing a country with more than 200 million people should be entrusted to individuals who, in his view, fail to display respect for public institutions.
“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,” he said.
Shettima also went on to ridicule Atiku for his shift in economic positions, saying a change in ideological wardrobe cannot balance a national budget.
