In response to queries raised by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Vice President Kashim Shettima has defended the government’s decision to allocate N15 billion for the renovation of the Vice President’s residences in Lagos and Abuja.
The VP’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha clarified that the project’s initiation and funding occurred during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and were later renewed by the current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, addressing the prolonged abandonment issue.
Emphasizing the administration’s commitment to completing long-neglected public projects nationwide, Nkwocha challenged Obi’s criticisms, highlighting the allocation of funds by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for the Vice President’s residence renovation.
Disputing Obi’s comparison between the renovation budget and university professors’ salaries, Nkwocha asserted the government’s dedication to prioritizing educators’ welfare and educational infrastructure despite economic challenges.
Accusing Obi of post-election trauma and divisive rhetoric, Nkwocha urged opposition figures to accept defeat gracefully and prioritize Nigeria’s interests.
Part of the statement read:
”There is no other context to situate Obi’s sermon about waste other than the fact that he has refused to swallow the bitter pills of reality.
”It is pitiful that since he was mercilessly defeated by President Tinubu, he and his army of social media cohorts have continued to brazenly unleash a campaign of calumny against the President and now, his administration.
”But despite Obi’s divisive rhetoric, Nigerians have since put a final seal on religious and ethnic politicking so that the country can move forward against the wish of certain persons in the mould of Obi, who have continued to fan the embers of division and falsehood just to create tension and spurn vexatious narratives in the polity.
”Still labouring under post-election trauma, the Labour Party candidate and his ilk are bent on pulling down the Tinubu administration at all cost.
”We advise him and his fellow travellers in the opposition to accept defeat honourably, and put the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians first as patriotic citizens they claim to be.”