By Kazeem Waris
The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) has urged South-East political leaders to stop disparaging the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and emulate Vice President Kashim Shettima’s call for respect for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The media office accused Shettima of double standards, alleging that the Vice President demanded respect for Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while describing Obi as “diminished.”
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, POMR spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, said Shettima had the right to oppose Obi politically but should focus on issues rather than resort to personal attacks.
The group condemned what it described as the Vice President’s disparaging remarks against Obi, insisting that political differences should not justify disrespect for opposition figures.
“The Peter Obi Media Office strongly condemns Vice President Kashim Shettima’s disparaging comments about our principal, NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi. The VP discourteously referred to Obi as ‘diminished’ while calling on Northerners to show respect to Atiku Abubakar,” the statement said.
It added: “Although Shettima has the right to oppose Obi, it is difficult to understand why he would demand respect for one opposition leader while casually dismissing another.”
According to the media office, Obi has maintained decorum in his political engagements by concentrating on policy issues and avoiding abusive language against political opponents.
The group further challenged Shettima to substantiate any criticism of Obi’s record in office with facts, rather than resorting to what it described as political name-calling.
Obi’s record should be challenged with facts
The statement also drew comparisons between the records of Obi and Shettima as former governors of Anambra and Borno states, respectively.
It claimed that Obi’s performance in Anambra State across key areas of governance surpassed Shettima’s record in Borno, citing what it described as performance statistics and awards received by the former Anambra governor.
The media office highlighted Obi’s record in fiscal discipline and investments in education and healthcare, arguing that disagreements over his performance should be addressed through evidence-based criticism.
“If Shettima contests any aspect of Obi’s record, he should present the facts rather than resort to political name-calling,” the statement said.
South- East leaders under fire
The POMR also criticised South-East political leaders it accused of disrespecting Obi, urging them to reconsider their approach to political disagreements.
It argued that Shettima’s call for respect for Atiku should serve as a lesson to political leaders across the country on the need for consistency in their treatment of opposition figures.
“The Media Office also calls on South-East political leaders who have shown disrespect toward Obi to take a lesson from the Vice President, who joined them in disparaging their brother while demanding respect for his northern counterpart in the opposition,” the statement added.
The group specifically urged Igbo leaders in the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as other Nigerians, not to allow political loyalty to justify what it described as disrespect towards a fellow Nigerian.
It maintained that political opponents should scrutinise Obi’s ideas, policies and record rather than resort to personal attacks.
“Nigeria needs a contest based on records and ideas, not selective respect and political denigration,” the statement said.
The media office concluded that Obi’s political relevance would ultimately be determined by Nigerians, rather than statements made by political opponents.
“The Nigerian people, rather than Shettima’s rhetoric, will determine Peter Obi’s political relevance,” it declared.
