Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticised the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his professional background, while warning opposition figures against insulting President Bola Tinubu during the 2027 election campaign.
Shettima spoke on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja.
The vice president warned that the APC would respond to anyone who insulted Tinubu during the election campaign.
He also cautioned Nigerians against listening to what he described as “voodoo economists”, arguing that they lacked an understanding of the dynamics of a modern economy.
According to Shettima, “Anyone with elementary knowledge of arithmetic can be a tax collector, but the ability to collect taxes does not transform one into an economic guru.
“So people should avoid listening to voodoo economists and people who do not understand the dynamics of a modern economy.
“With all due respect to Vice President Atiku Abubakar, he was trained in Kano School of Hygiene as Duba-gari in Hausa and Wole-wole in Yoruba.
“But for the rest of the duration of this campaign, we will discuss ideas, we will discuss policies, but we will treat all our opponents with respect and dignity.
“They are not our enemies, they are our brothers, they are our countrymen, they are our leaders, but let us make it very clear that if anyone trades insults and takes this poor man seated here for granted, we will reply appropriately.
“Anyone who is not willing to respect others forfeits the right to be respected.”
Atiku trained in Kano school of hygiene as Dubagari, don’t take Tinubu for granted – Shettima