The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) has strongly condemned Vice President Kashim Shettima over disparaging remarks targeted at the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, describing the Vice President’s comments as an affront to political decency The reaction follows recent public statements by Shettima, who referred to Obi as “diminished” while simultaneously calling on political stakeholders in the North to maintain respect toward opposition leader Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement signed by POMR Spokesman Idris Zekeri Jnr, the media office questioned the vice president’s double standard in demanding respect for one northern opposition leader while dismissively disparaging another. “Although Shettima has the right to oppose Obi, it is difficult to understand why he would demand respect for one opposition leader while casually dismissing another,” the statement read. The media office highlighted Obi’s record of decorum and focus on policy-driven campaigns, noting that the former Anambra State governor has consistently refrained from personal attacks or abusive language.
Rebuffing Shettima’s dismissal, POMR drew a direct comparison between both leaders’ past tenures as state governors, arguing that Obi’s governance track record in Anambra State surpassed Shettima’s performance in Borno State across key sectors, including fiscal discipline, healthcare, and education. “If Shettima contests any aspect of Obi’s record, he should present the facts rather than resort to political name-calling,” Zekeri stated. The statement also directed strong words toward South-East political leaders, particularly those within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), urging them to learn from the Vice President’s selective deference.
POMR noted that while Shettima demanded respect for his northern political counterpart, some South-East politicians continued to disparage their own brother. “We urge Igbo leaders in the APC and all Nigerians to draw the appropriate lesson from this episode and note that political loyalty must never justify tolerating disrespect toward a fellow Nigerian,” the campaign office added. The statement called for a campaign centered on governance records and policy ideas rather than personal abuse and selective respect, emphasizing that the ultimate test of political relevance rests with the Nigerian electorate, not political rhetoric.