Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, questioning his capacity to manage a modern economy and opposing his proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

Shettima spoke on Monday at the ongoing 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, describing Atiku’s proposal as an attempt to reverse economic reforms for political convenience.

“One of the leading presidential candidates (Atiku) is advocating a return to the subsidy scheme. He wants us to backslide into primitivity for political convenience,” Shettima said.

The vice-president also questioned Atiku’s professional background, arguing that it did not equip him with the skills required to govern a modern economy.

“I dare to put forward that his skill set… he was trained in sanitation at the Kano School of Hygiene. So he doesn’t have the skill set to govern a modern economy. That’s a painful truth.

“So it’s for you, as Nigerians, to make informed decisions. Even that certificate in sanitation, I know he will find it difficult to distinguish the difference between flu and COVID, that are airborne diseases, and Ebola that is human contact ailment. Nigerians would have to decide,” Shettima said.

He defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove petrol subsidy, saying the president took the difficult step because he understood the country’s economic realities.

“The president took those painful decisions because he understands the dynamics,” he said.