Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over what he called disrespectful comments about President Bola Tinubu, saying anyone seeking the presidency must show discipline and respect for public institutions.
CDA News Nigeria reports that Shettima spoke on Wednesday at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election in Abuja.
He said he would still respect Atiku and address him as a former vice-president. But he said Atiku, who has contested for the presidency for the eighth time by Shettima’s count, “is no Abraham Lincoln.”
CDA News Nigeria gathered that Shettima argued that Atiku’s repeated bids and recent policy proposals do not excuse language he considers disrespectful toward a sitting president. He also questioned how Atiku’s proposed production subsidies would be funded.
Shettima framed his criticism as a matter of conduct. He said the higher the office a candidate seeks, the greater the responsibility to be careful in words and in dealings with public institutions.
The remarks come as the party moves into campaign mode, with Tinubu telling the council at the same event that he would not accompany members to every campaign event because of the demands of governance.
The Vice-President’s claims, including the number of times Atiku has contested and his criticism of the subsidy proposals, are his own account and have not been independently verified. At the time of filing, Atiku had not responded to Shettima’s remarks.
CDA News Nigeria will update this story as more information emerges.
All rights reserved ©2026 CDA News Nigeria. Contact: info@cdanews.ng, www.cdanews.ng, +2348030980314 | 348 Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
