Why Shettima is wrong on Obi’s statistics – Kwankwaso

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has challenged Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s criticism of Peter Obi’s use of statistics, insisting that the party’s presidential candidate generally presents accurate figures.

Kwankwaso’s response followed Shettima’s description of Obi as “the master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions” during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, the former Kano State governor said he independently examined figures cited by Obi and found most of them to be correct.

He acknowledged that Obi, like other public figures, could occasionally make mistakes or experience slips of the tongue but argued that such instances did not justify Shettima’s sweeping criticism.

“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 him (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 said.

Meanwhile, Kwankwaso has expressed hope that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will address the omission of the NDC’s Kano State governorship candidate, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, from its recently published list of candidates for the 2027 elections.

He disclosed that the party had submitted a formal complaint to the electoral commission following its request but had yet to receive a response.

The former governor urged the commission to correct the omission, particularly reassuring the party’s supporters in Kano that efforts were being made to resolve the matter.

“I just want to tell our supporters especially in Kano that our gubernatorial candidate His Excellency Aminu Abdusalam unfortunately recently, the INEC was not able put his name on the register. Of course, the party and our representatives went to them, there was no answer yet. They asked our party to write to them which we did and I hope INEC will correct that,” he said.

The omission comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, with the publication of candidate lists serving as an important stage in the electoral process.