The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has defended the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against criticism from Vice President Kashim Shettima over his use of economic statistics.
Kwankwaso said Obi’s figures were largely accurate, arguing that Shettima was wrong to question the former Anambra State governor’s understanding of economic issues.
He made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, a day after Shettima criticised Obi at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja.
Speaking at the APC event on Wednesday, Shettima described Obi as “the master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions.”
The vice president accused the NDC presidential candidate of drawing economic comparisons between Nigeria and other countries without adequately considering the country’s circumstances.
Shettima, who referred to Obi as his “very good friend,” particularly questioned his frequent references to countries such as Bangladesh when discussing Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Responding to the criticism, Kwankwaso said he regularly listened to Obi’s public statements and independently examined the figures he presented.
According to him, most of the statistics cited by the former governor were accurate, although occasional errors could not be ruled out.
“I always listen to him (Peter Obi); like all others, I take time to check the statistics. As far as I am concerned, most of the figures he was saying were correct and the only thing, of course as human beings you are bound to make mistakes or a slip of tongue, as they call it.
“But for Shettima to come and make that statement, I don’t think he is correct. So, I am happy that our presidential candidate is somebody who is conversant with statistics, not only in this country but all over the world, in Europe, Asia, everywhere and I think that is a good one.”
Kwankwaso maintained that Obi’s knowledge of economic data extended beyond Nigeria, describing his familiarity with developments in other parts of the world as an advantage.
The exchange comes as the APC and opposition parties intensify their political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Obi is seeking the presidency on the NDC platform, with Kwankwaso as his running mate, while President Bola Tinubu is seeking re-election under the APC.
