Shettima blasts Obi for criticising allocation of N15 billion to renovate Vice-President’s residence
Vice President Kashim Shettima has addressed recent criticisms from Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, over the allocation of N15 billion for the renovation of his residences in Lagos and Abuja.
Stanley Nkwocha, the spokesperson of the Vice President, responded to Obi’s remarks, defending the administration’s decision to allocate N15 billion for the renovation.
Earlier, Obi had raised concerns about the substantial amount allocated for renovating the buildings, contrasting it with the N5 billion budgeted for student loans in the country.
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In a statement released on behalf of Vice President Shettima, Nkwocha rebuffed Obi’s comments, labeling them as misguided attacks and falsehoods against the administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Nkwocha countered Obi’s criticisms, pointing to the allocation of funds for the renovation of the Vice President’s official residence by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
He clarified that the project was initiated and funded during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and was subsequently renewed by the current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, due to its extended abandonment.
The spokesperson defended the decision to resume the project, underlining the administration’s dedication to completing long-abandoned public projects across the nation.
He suggested this commitment was contrary to Obi’s past directives as governor of Anambra State.
Nkwocha also challenged Obi’s comparison between the allocated budget for the Vice President’s residence and the salaries of university professors, asserting the administration’s focus on the welfare of educators and educational infrastructure despite challenging economic conditions.
Additionally, Nkwocha accused Obi of post-election trauma and using divisive rhetoric, and urged him and other opposition leaders to accept defeat gracefully and prioritise Nigeria’s interests.
Part of the statement read, ”There is no other context to situate Obi’s sermon about waste other than the fact that he has refused to swallow the bitter pills of reality.
”It is pitiful that since he was mercilessly defeated by President Tinubu, he and his army of social media cohorts have continued to brazenly unleash a campaign of calumny against the President and now, his administration.
”But despite Obi’s divisive rhetoric, Nigerians have since put a final seal on religious and ethnic politicking so that the country can move forward against the wish of certain persons in the mould of Obi, who have continued to fan the embers of division and falsehood just to create tension and spurn vexatious narratives in the polity.
”Still labouring under post-election trauma, the Labour Party candidate and his ilk are bent on pulling down the Tinubu administration at all cost.
”We advise him and his fellow travellers in the opposition to accept defeat honourably, and put the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians first as patriotic citizens they claim to be.”
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It is terrible that the future of the younger generation has been eaten up by the leaders of today. The renew hope has become an excruciating hope that has placed many destinies and the Nation not to think in the right direction.
It is a pity that nothing is being seen as wrong at the top in a country where the masses are no longer consider for better living.