*Ikot Ekpene, Akwa-Ibom, Nigeria – September 25, 2023:*
Vice President Kashim Shettima has come under fire for his recent remarks regarding his former classmate, Usman Oladipo, who currently holds the position of a General Manager in a Nigerian financial institution that Mr. Shettima referred to as “mediocre.” The comments were made during the 10th National Assembly retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa-Ibom state, where Shettima was addressing lawmakers.
Shettima’s statement, in which he compared the success of lawmakers to that of his former classmate, Usman Oladipo, has raised eyebrows and garnered criticism. The Vice President’s comments were seen as an example of his tendency to communicate opinions in a derogatory manner, even when discussing individuals who are not political rivals or threats.
“We are the luckiest among Nigerians; we are not better than our next-door neighbour. Yesterday, I hosted my classmate from the University of Ibadan, the MSc class of 1991,” said Shettima at the event.
In an attempt to emphasize the privilege and responsibility of lawmakers, Shettima revealed his former classmate’s identity and academic achievement, stating, “The best-graduating student in my class was Usman Oladipo. Oladipo is languishing as a DGM (Deputy General Manager) in one mediocre bank. He was the best-graduating student, and that goes to show that we are here not because we are the best of the best.”
The specific financial institution with which Usman Oladipo is affiliated was not immediately confirmed.
Critics have lambasted the Vice President for his unguarded comments, considering them inappropriate for Nigeria’s second-highest-ranking official. Shettima’s past history of making disparaging remarks about political colleagues and ordinary citizens has further fueled the backlash.
Last year, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election campaign, Shettima described his predecessor, Yemi Osinbajo, as “a nice man” who should be selling popcorn and ice-cream and insinuated that he was not presidential material. He also disparaged former Senate President Ahmad Lawan as a tomato trader unfit for a presidential run. While Shettima later issued apologies for these comments, some viewed them as insincere responses to backlash from party members and critics.
At the Ikot-Ekpene retreat, Shettima urged lawmakers to fulfill their roles in building a prosperous Nigeria, emphasizing that the country’s progress is a collective achievement for all Africans.
“We are the representatives of our people, we are the representatives of the black men; that is the burden we carry. If Nigeria fails, the black man has failed, let us make Nigeria work,” he concluded.
