Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has criticised opposition parties in the country, accusing them of relying on “lies and hypocrisy” while insisting that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is now politically stronger than it was during the 2023 general elections.
Shettima made the remarks while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at an interfaith breaking of fast held at the State House to mark the ongoing observances of Ramadan and Lent. The event brought together political leaders, religious figures and other dignitaries.
During his address, the Vice President took particular aim at the African Democratic Congress (ADC), criticising the party over its advocacy for the electronic transmission of election results.
According to Shettima, the ADC’s position on electoral transparency appeared contradictory after the party allegedly encountered problems with its own digital registration system.
“The same people who were adamant that we must have electronic transmission of votes opened their portal for membership registration, and it was flooded with fake names and fictitious identities,” he said.
Shettima suggested that such incidents demonstrated what he described as a broader pattern within opposition politics in Nigeria, claiming that misinformation had become a central strategy.
Quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the Vice President argued that truth often requires protection from distortion. “As Churchill once said, ‘truth is so precious that it must be surrounded by a bodyguard of lies.’ Lies, lies, lies — that is what is driving the opposition in this country,” he said.
Addressing the gathering of political and religious leaders, Shettima also called on members and supporters of the APC to remain united as political activities begin to intensify ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the political season is around the corner. We are all political actors. We have to sell our government. We have to stand behind our administration,” he told the audience.
The Vice President further expressed confidence in the ruling party’s political standing, arguing that the APC now enjoys a stronger position than it did during the 2023 elections.
“Politically speaking, we are in a more comfortable position now than in 2023,” he said.
Shettima also addressed the recent wave of political defections into the ruling party, dismissing suggestions that pressure was being applied to opposition figures. According to him, governors and other politicians joining the APC were doing so voluntarily.
“Nobody is coercing the governors of Rivers, Delta, Kano or any other state to join the APC. It is at their own volition because they have seen the light,” he added.
His remarks come amid shifting political alliances and growing speculation about realignments ahead of Nigeria’s next round of major elections. Observers say such statements reflect the increasingly competitive political atmosphere as parties position themselves for future contests.
