“We Will Match Every Lie With the Truth” — Presidency Slams Datti Over Attacks on Shettima

The Presidency has criticized former Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, accusing him of bitterness and political frustration over the success of Vice President Kashim Shettima. In a sharp response to Datti’s recent comments on Arise News, where he questioned why President Bola Tinubu has not removed Shettima from office, the Presidency described the remarks as baseless and rooted in personal resentment.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), issued a statement on Friday defending Shettima’s integrity and loyalty. He described Shettima as a devoted public servant who continues to discharge his duties with “patriotism and integrity,” and dismissed Datti’s portrayal of the Vice President as desperate and unworthy.

Nkwocha emphasized that Shettima has maintained a spotless democratic record, never having been involved in election rigging or losing any election. He contrasted this with Datti’s own political history, recalling his removal from the Senate in 2011 after a tribunal found irregularities in his election under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change. According to Nkwocha, the court ruling that replaced Datti with PDP’s Ahmed Makarfi highlights the irony in Datti’s criticisms.

The Presidency pointed to Shettima’s ability to deliver Borno State for the APC in 2023, while noting that Datti failed to secure even a second-place finish for Labour Party in Kaduna. Nkwocha argued that Datti’s persistent public attacks stem from political failure and envy.

Describing Shettima as a partner President Tinubu deeply trusts, Nkwocha outlined the Vice President’s career journey from academia to banking, state governance, and eventually the Vice Presidency, attributing his rise to hard work and divine favor. He dismissed calls for Shettima’s removal as lacking constitutional basis and accused Datti of misrepresenting democratic norms.

The Presidency warned that further unprovoked attacks on the Vice President would be met with firm responses. “We will match every lie with the truth. If he seeks Shettima’s fall, he must first reckon with the will of Almighty Allah who alone gives power,” Nkwocha stated. He concluded that Shettima’s media team would continue to highlight the achievements of the Tinubu administration while pushing back against what he called “cheap shots from politically wounded characters.”