Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticised opposition parties, accusing them of operating on “lies and hypocrisy.”
He maintained that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is politically stronger now than it was in 2023.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at an interfaith Ramadan and Lent breaking of fast held at the State House, Shettima also faulted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its demand for electronic transmission of votes.
He alleged that when the party opened its portal for membership registration, it was “overwhelmed by an avalanche of fake names and fictitious identities.”
“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,” the Vice President said.
Taking a broader swipe at opposition politics in the country, Shettima declared that misinformation has become their driving force.
“You and I know that, as Winston 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 stated.
Addressing the gathering of political and religious leaders, Shettima urged party faithful to remain united as the political season approaches.
“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 said.
He further maintained that the APC is now more politically comfortable than it was during the 2023 general elections.
“Politically speaking, we are in a more comfortable position now than in 2023,” he said.
On the recent wave of defections into the ruling party, Shettima insisted that governors 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