Vice President Kashim Shettima has responded to recent criticisms from Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.
Stanley Nkwocha, the spokesman for Vice President Shettima, addressed Obi’s remarks, defending the administration’s decision to spend N15 billion to renovate his boss’s residences in Lagos and Abuja.
Obi had questioned why the government planned to spend a lot on renovating the edifices while budgeting a paltry N5 billion for student loans in the country.
In his statement released on behalf of Vice President Shettima, Nkwocha responded to Obi’s comments, denouncing what he termed as a series of misguided attacks and falsehoods directed at the administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Nkwocha challenged the criticisms levelled by Obi, citing the allocation of funds for the renovation of the Vice President’s official residence by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
He clarified that the project was initiated and funded during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and was later renewed by the current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, due to its long-standing abandonment.
The spokesman defended the decision to resume the project, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to completing long-abandoned public projects across the nation, a stance he suggested was in contrast to Obi’s past directives as governor of Anambra State.
Nkwocha also disputed Obi’s comparison between the allocated budget for the Vice President’s residence and salaries paid to university professors, asserting that the administration prioritizes the welfare of educators and educational infrastructure despite challenging economic conditions.
Nkwocha further accused Obi of post-election trauma and divisive rhetoric, urging him and others in opposition to accept defeat gracefully and prioritize Nigeria’s interests.
Part of the statement read:
”There is no other context to situate Obi’s sermon about waste other than the fact that he has refused to swallow the bitter pills of reality.
”It is pitiful that since he was mercilessly defeated by President Tinubu, he and his army of social media cohorts have continued to brazenly unleash a campaign of calumny against the President and now, his administration.
”But despite Obi’s divisive rhetoric, Nigerians have since put a final seal on religious and ethnic politicking so that the country can move forward against the wish of certain persons in the mould of Obi, who have continued to fan the embers of division and falsehood just to create tension and spurn vexatious narratives in the polity.
”Still labouring under post-election trauma, the Labour Party candidate and his ilk are bent on pulling down the Tinubu administration at all cost.
”We advise him and his fellow travellers in the opposition to accept defeat honourably, and put the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians first as patriotic citizens they claim to be.”
I think it is unfortunate the way some of this so called special advisers like Nkwocha and there likes talk back at some personalities because of politics is not right. Some of them need to be cautious.
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Defending the indenfensibke
It is still insensitive and callous to make such grandiose project a priority at this critical time in Nigeria especially when 5billion was voted to renovate the existing lodge.
What should be the priority of any caring and God fearing government now is the welfare of the masses who are being impoverished daily . What is divisive about that? Rather those who truly love the President should tell him not to listen to sycophants but the true yearnings of the masses.
We the masses refuse to do the right thing,if Nigeria do the right thing you won’t be there saying all that….if your entire life have you dream of living in 1 billion house now you’re thinking of living in 5 billions naira house, don’t care about the masses or anyone….I pray that God should change our leader hrt.
Defindig those who rules without the citizens support. Wow Mr nkwocha or whoever you call yourself. Well-done for the runish you put up as a defense to the lavishing of the country’s funds by your goony leader
He is suffering from post election trauma and you as a normal citizen wants to live in a 15 billion naira house in Abuja without politics can you as a devilish banker afford a house of 1 billion with your salary as a banker. We Nigerians are the fools bc we have refused to fight u guys and put u fools where you belong. We the masses that has refused to act are the architect of our own problems pls
U are absolutely correct. We the masses have allowed these wicked and devilish politicians to divide us along ethnic and religious line. The only way this country can be free is for the masses to unite and confront the common enemy
You are inconsiquencially irrelevant anonymously insignificant you are like the zero behind the decimal point infinite decimal, what a Carlos gov’t you are operating, God will surely punish your recless deeds useless idiots.
Ah swear bro….the Nigeria citizens are the major cause of this deceitful governance. We have turn blind eyes enough. We should be hitting the street with protest on daily basis in this country calling for revolution but we the NIGERIAN YOUTHS let the seed of division (religious and ethnic sentiment)which politicians sow among us take us to Oblivion.. things will get worst in this country if we continue on this deceitful path and turn blind eyes.
It’s not your fault… I blame Nigerians that have failed to hold their leaders accountable
It’s very hard to understand where Nigeria is driving us to.
To renovate an existing edifice with such a collosal amount of money and sharing a paltry 5billion naira to each state is to say the least most insensitive, indefensible and evil.
Dear Mr Isinkwocha, let it be known to you, Shittima your agbado boss, Tifnubu your misleader, and your co-travelers in the forgery road of balablue that Mr Obi, the man Nigerians voted for only for Tinubu to steal his mandate by bribery and corruption and bloody violence, is the tole model of Nigerians and the global community. As stole waters are sweet, we understand that you’re currently sacking from the nectar of corruption and lootry and theft of mandate, therefore being well fed while Nigeriabs are hungry, you cannot understand why everybody is complaining of the squandermania and profligacy that has beset your thieving administration of Tifnubu. From Yacht to SUVs to 3000 ‘delegates’ to COP28, to oil blocks..and now N15b to renovate house for your bokoharm VP. Be ashamed of yourselves for once.
15 billions to renovate aba,it’s not your fort sha
Lolzzz I don’t like to comment cos can be kinda rude I’m sure this man knows his present post wasn’t ment for him you know how u got there
Lemme stop there
Refinery should be the main target of this administration in order to target inflation and cushion the effect of subsidy removal . Embarking on such project now is not appropriate.
One wonders why successive APC governments lack common sense of financial management. They borrow from Europe and spend it on projects that is not enterprising or meaningful to get the public out of poverty. H.Ex. Peter Obi is a good man and this is why Nigerians massively voted for him. Clearly, President Tinubu is towing the lane of Fmr Pres. Buhari in the lavish mismanagement of loans and scarce resources and till date, Prof. Mahmoud is not out of INEC Chairman position. Ticking time bomb before you people will feel the pains of the masses who are buying$1 at N1170 Naira daily. Wasteful government.
We are finished in this country, having this two heartless being as presy and vicy.
Mr. Stanley Nkwocha or whatever you call yourself. There’s nothing on this earth that will justify such wasted venture. God is seeing you guys and you will reap it someday soon. N15 billion tax payers money on one soul.
I pity my country.
These are the kinds visionless opportunists that will drive the nation into dungeon. This nation is actually doomed with this crop of people speaking and representing for the nation. You can not differentiate between issues of national concern and personal issues How can a normal person lend money not to invest in ventures that would replicate but just to buy cars, renovations etc? what a waste? And mr spokesman as clueless as you are expect us to clap for you and your visionless opportunists you call leaders? Not in this harsh economic conditions that we are facing in this country.
One na one God is not man neither sleeping very soon all this evil and barbaric attitude most stop.
What is the meaning of all this, are you normal at all, 15billiion Naira how does it sound in your ears. Do you see the poverty taking over the country.
Nigeria is expired and one day it will break up to pisses… Useless leaders
I dare not say much but trust me the administration of apc starting from buhari time has detoriate Nigeria economy 15 billion not million on just renovation of apartment while millions of Nigeria are homeless I can see the fall of apc coming it will be forgotten it and come to an end it will become a party that no one want associates with apc administration will surly fail
This is very correct because that kind of move at this particular time is not good
You are fully correct
Will Shetima carry the N15 billion naira to his village after completing his tenure as vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria? If he cannot & the project is fraud free or it follows due process then what’s the noise about?
We have more pressing issues more than the renovation of vice presidents Villa… Hunger, fuel subsidy…why can’t they fix our refinaries ?
A personality like Shettima wouldn’t smell governance but for their dubious approach. We know people who are decent in this country. Shettima and his drugged master are disasters for this country.
Nigeria my country.
Where on earth do someone should spend the whopping sum of #15 billions public money to renovate a residential house and still have the guts to defend it. Even if that residential house is a five stars hotels it will not chop that amount. Let’s tell ourselves the truth, politics and religious sentiments apart.
They will do more damages unless we rise to defend what is left of this country for our children
What a country we’re re 15 billion for your house re you normal
I’m here looking for just 2million naira to start up a business…. Imagine 15 billion spent wrongly…
Nothing we no go see for Nigeria, if the CJN can manipulate the trued only God can intervene for the poor masses in Nigeria
What is wrong with this government for God sake, what is going on in this country? The masses are suffering on a daily basis the economy is drastically draining every minute. Who do us for this nation???
Which day we go wise, imagine one person compulsory contribution pension for others if it is a good thing why is he not included
Na wa. N15 billion is what some 5 star hotels use to start their business. This amount is being used for the residential house of only the Vp! Are we a serious country?
You can’t be a judge in your own case. Masses are hammering in worse situation your administration have put them, and you are talking of another thing.
Shettima, this shows the lack of sensitivity and maturity you have. You are too myopic and obviously stupid from top to bottom.
Stupidity at it highest level, 15b to renovate a house? Our leaders are divish and calous very wicked to the Masses, Nigeria can only get better when we all leave religion, tribe, sentiment aside, and vote the capable hands that can manage our resources.
To the foolish Yorubas wey no follow the wise. Shouting upandan na there tribe fit run ahm. Hope you’ve learnt your lessons in a hard way?
Vote wisely vote wisely
You refused/ignored warnings
Some people still geh mind of tribalism, religion discrimination. All of us go hear ahm