Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his proposal to restore fuel subsidy, questioning his ability to govern Nigeria’s modern economy.

Shettima said Atiku’s proposal would push the country back into poverty, accusing the former vice president of supporting the return of subsidy for political reasons.

Speaking at the Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja yesterday, Shettima said: “One of the leading presidential candidates is advocating for the return of the subsidy scheme. He wants us to backslide into penury for political convenience.”

He also questioned Atiku’s professional background, referring to his training at the Kano School of Hygiene as he challenged his capacity to manage the country’s economy.

“I dare to put forward that his skill set — he was trained in sanitation at the Kano School of Hygiene — so he doesn’t have the skill set to govern a modern economy. That’s the painful truth,” Shettima said.

Shettima urged Nigerians to assess the proposals and qualifications of political leaders before making decisions, warning against ignoring the implications of their choices.

The Vice President also criticised the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, saying he had nothing to offer Nigerians beyond what he described as questionable statistics and his opposition to restoring petrol subsidy.

Shettima made the remarks at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, where he acknowledged Obi’s position on subsidy removal but questioned the substance of his economic proposals.