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Politics Shouldn’t Make You Utter Disrespectful, Irresponsible Statements, Atiku Cautions Shettima
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Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has cautioned the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kashim Shettima, against being “irresponsible and disrespectful”.
Atiku said this in light of a recent comment by Shettima, that the administration of Bola Tinubu will be “anti-entrepreneurship” if he wins the 2023 election.
Shettima had criticised one of the businesses of Abubakar at an event in Lagos, saying being an owner of a table water company does not mean he understands the economy.
“And believe me, the ability to sell bottled water doesn’t make one an expert on the economy,” Shettima had said.
“It is with utter dismay that we listened to the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu and his running mate talk condescendingly about other presidential candidates at a gathering that they invited members of the private sector to on Tuesday,” the statement reads.
“It is indicative that the Tinubu-Shettima administration will be anti-entrepreneurship and business.
“One would have thought that the duo would use the advantage of such a gathering to talk about solutions that their party, APC, has foisted on the country. Rather, they went on the ultra highway of political indecency.
“Any business that produces products, creates jobs and delivers dividends, especially in this era of the APC administration when the country is bleeding jobs is an asset and should not be mocked.
“It is irrelevant if it is a small business or a big business. And for Shettima, it is more shameful that he will denigrate a going business that employs a large chunk of people in the Northeast region.
“Even Atiku’s opponents have acknowledged the business resume that has seen him being engaged in businesses covering farming, animal feed, beverages, banking, logistics, polymer and plastics, education, among others employing thousands directly and hundreds of thousands indirectly.”
The PDP presidential candidate said Shettima should apologise to Nigerians, especially those who benefit from his business.
“Politics does not confer on anyone the license to make irresponsible statements,” Abubakar said.
He said Shettima “chose to embarrass their guests, using their audience to play vile political games”.
“Atiku, it was, who first raised the alarm about the debt burden that the APC has thrown Nigeria into. It was also Atiku who continued to call the attention of the nation to the need to diversify the economy away from heavy dependence on the exploration of crude oil. Atiku, again, was the one who said that the quickest path to lift the majority of Nigerians out of the poverty belt, is for the government to give incentives to the private sector in order for them to create more jobs for Nigerians.
“Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Atiku pioneered the private donor relief funds, which opened the gateway for other Nigerians of means to follow suit in providing succor to people who were worst hit by the attendant self-isolation regulation in the management of the pandemic.”
TheCable
The Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned Thursday’s court judgment purporting to remove Senator David Mark’s leadership of the party, describing it as a calculated attempt to weaken the ADC and frustrate his candidacy.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the timing of the judgment was telling. It came barely a day after a mammoth crowd turned out in Sokoto to welcome him and attend the launch of the ADC campaign.
“The people of Sokoto came out in their thousands because they are hungry for change and believe in our promise to make life affordable again. What we witnessed in Sokoto is only the beginning. The people of Kebbi will have their say, and so will Nigerians across the country as our campaign moves forward.
“My roots are in Northern Nigeria, but my candidacy belongs to all Nigerians. There is a difference between being from the North and being a candidate only for the North. Hunger and hardship do not respect regional boundaries. Nigerians across the country are suffering under this government, and they deserve a leader with a credible plan to make life affordable again.
“The timing of this judgment is no coincidence. It is part of a strategy to weaken my support in the North and frustrate a campaign whose message is resonating across the country. But the ruling party’s greatest miscalculation is to assume that my support ends in the North. What we saw in Sokoto, what we will see in Kebbi and across the country, is the strength of a national movement.”
Atiku said the judgment also raises serious legal concerns.
“Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court had already dismissed the challenge to the David Mark-led leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025. The court upheld the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing and the failure to exhaust internal party remedies, and resolved the substantive issues in their favour. Why, after that judgment, was another case filed to reopen the same dispute? This is a calculated attempt to circumvent a subsisting judgment. We will challenge this judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal.”
Atiku urged ADC supporters to remain calm and law-abiding and not to let the judgment weaken the momentum generated in Sokoto. The campaign train is already in Kebbi and will continue across the country.
“Our journey to rescue Nigeria from the hardship imposed by the APC government is a long one. Our Affordable Life campaign will continue because Nigerians deserve relief from this crushing cost-of-living crisis. We urge our supporters to remain resolute, take our message from house to house and door to door, and stay peaceful and focused. There is no shaking.”
President Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate to approve the implementation of an external borrowing plan of $7.7 billion.
At an exchange rate of N1,400 to the dollar, the money amounts to about N10.79 trillion
The President said the funds are to part-finance the N20.2 trillion budget deficit.
The new request, according to the Senate President, replaces the $20.52 billion loan request presented last week.
The request has been referred to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for further legislative action.
Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history by reaching their first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final, following a commanding 3-1 win over Brazil in their semi-final encounter in Morocco.
After a goalless first half, the Nigerians stepped up after the break, scoring three times to put the contest beyond Brazil before conceding a late consolation goal.
Queen Joseph broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, turning home Oluwakemi Adegubyi’s assist to put the Flamingos ahead.
Nigeria doubled their lead in the 71st minute through Awawu Bashiru, who finished off a pass from Joseph, before completing her brace nine minutes later. This time, Bashiru converted Oluebube Umejiaku’s delivery to give the Flamingos a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Brazil managed to reduce the deficit in the 89th minute through Greise Kelly, who was set up by Yasmin Queiroz, but the late strike did little to change the outcome as Nigeria held on for a memorable victory.
The result takes the Flamingos into their maiden final at the tournament, where they will face Japan, who defeated defending champions North Korea in the other semi-final.
Nigeria’s qualification for the final represents a remarkable recovery after their campaign began with a 2-1 defeat to Poland. They bounced back with a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico, courtesy of goals from Oluwakemi Adegubyi and Precious Oscar, before producing one of their most impressive performances to defeat North Korea 3-1.
That victory was particularly significant, as it ended North Korea’s 18-match unbeaten run in regulation time at the competition. Adegubyi, Umejiaku and Kanyinsola Rodiat Yusuf were on target for Nigeria.
The Flamingos finished second in Group B with six points, having scored six goals and conceded four in three matches, before stepping up their campaign in the knockout rounds.
They began their journey through the last 16 with a 2-1 victory over Mexico. Umejiaku and Mary Dunstan scored in either half, while Emily Delgado’s late effort proved insufficient to prevent the Mexicans from exiting the competition.
Nigeria then secured a place in the semi-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Venezuela. Azeezat Oduntan converted an 89th-minute penalty to settle the quarter-final and set up the last-four meeting with Brazil.
The achievement takes the team beyond their previous best finish at the tournament — third place in 2022 — when they defeated Germany on penalties to claim the bronze medal.
The Flamingos had also arrived in Morocco in impressive form, having swept to the WAFU B U-17 title with a perfect record of five wins from five matches. They scored 17 goals and conceded just once during the regional competition.
Now, with Brazil behind them and Japan standing between them and the title, the Flamingos have an opportunity to crown their historic campaign with Nigeria’s first U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.
