The Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has berated the All Progressives Congress vice presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, and Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over their alleged rising negative comments against political opponents.
Speaking at a conference in Abuja on Thursday, the LP running lashed out at Shettima, describing the former Borno State governor as a “morally-bankrupt character who is out of touch with reality”.
He also claimed that Atiku introduced unethical standards into his campaign, adding that it was important for the forme Vice president to remember that oath of office does not expire with tenure.
On Shettima, Baba-Ahmed said, “We congratulate Mr. Shettima on having improved his dressing, but equally remind him that he needs to improve on his public composure and discipline in communication.
“Shettima is called upon to speak kindly and more responsibly about all personalities if only to uphold long-established standards. Little wonder he has consistently put to shame the noble heritage of the great Bornu Empire, in his unguarded and uncultured public pronouncements, which expose his intellectual laziness and discomfort with empirical facts and arguments.
“Regular insults which have now become his trademark, have not spared the current Vice President whom he directed to go and sell ice cream, nor the former Vice President whom he described as a pure water seller, a noble venture which serves the populace better than a certain white substance.
“It is pertinent to recall how Mr. Shettima at a recent public event belittled Atiku Abubakar’s educational qualification as well as the modest lifestyle of Peter Obi. Clearly Mr. Shettima is out of touch with reality and cannot understand that people like Peter Obi who have reached the heights in business and material achievement have long transcended the need for ostentatious display of wealth.”
Speaking on Atiku, the LP presidential candidate, said, “It is important to underline that Oaths of office do not expire with tenure, and hence the comment that the Northern electorate do not need a Yoruba or Igbo leader is greatly at variance with the oaths of office taken in 1999 and 2003 respectively, and the Peace Accord of 2022.
“This is to call upon the owner of the statement to respectfully retract same in order to be readmitted to the honour list of esteemed presidential candidates. Truth of the matter is that every Nigerian from anywhere needs a credible and competent President.”