Abuja, March 5, 2026 – Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched a sharp attack on Nigeria’s opposition parties, accusing them of relying on falsehoods, misinformation, and political hypocrisy to undermine the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking at a high-profile interfaith Iftar ceremony at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday evening, March 4, 2026, Shettima asserted that the APC is now in a far stronger political position than it was during the bitterly contested 2023 general elections.
The event, which brought together senior government officials, religious leaders from both Muslim and Christian communities, traditional rulers, diplomats, and prominent politicians, served as a platform to observe the ongoing holy months of Ramadan and Lent. It underscored the Tinubu administration’s emphasis on national unity, interfaith harmony, and inclusive governance amid rising political temperatures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Representing President Tinubu, who was unavoidably absent due to other official engagements, Vice President Shettima used the occasion to deliver one of his most direct and wide-ranging political statements since assuming office in May 2023. He particularly singled out the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for criticism, revisiting the party’s earlier vocal advocacy for the electronic transmission of election results—a demand that was central to opposition arguments during the 2023 polls.
Shettima alleged that the ADC’s credibility suffered a major blow following the launch of its online membership registration portal. “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,” he declared. He suggested that the incident exposed what he described as double standards and a lack of internal integrity within opposition ranks.
Broadening his critique, the Vice President accused opposition groups of weaponizing misinformation as a primary strategy to discredit the Tinubu administration. Quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill—“Truth is so precious that it must be surrounded by a bodyguard of lies”—Shettima adapted the famous aphorism to fit the Nigerian context: “Lies, lies, lies—that is what is driving the opposition in this country.” He argued that fabricated narratives about governance failures, economic hardship, and alleged corruption have become the main currency of political opposition rather than constructive policy alternatives.
Shettima urged APC members, supporters, and sympathizers to remain steadfast and actively defend the administration’s record as the political calendar begins to heat up. “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 insisted that the ruling party now enjoys significantly greater internal cohesion and public goodwill compared to the fractious period leading up to the 2023 polls.
“Politically speaking, we are in a more comfortable position now than in 2023,” Shettima stated, pointing to recent developments that he said have strengthened the APC’s dominance. Among these are the successful conduct of party congresses, improved coordination among state governors elected on the APC platform, and a growing number of high-profile defections from opposition parties.
Addressing speculation surrounding the wave of defections—particularly involving governors from opposition-controlled states—the Vice President categorically denied claims of coercion or arm-twisting. “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 said. He described the movements as voluntary decisions driven by recognition of the Tinubu administration’s policies, developmental strides, and political viability ahead of 2027.
The remarks come at a time when Nigeria’s political landscape is showing early signs of realignment. In recent months, several prominent figures—including former governors, senators, and state assembly members—have defected to the APC from parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the ADC. Analysts attribute the trend partly to the ruling party’s control of federal resources, ongoing economic reforms perceived as stabilizing in some quarters, and strategic outreach by the Tinubu administration to opposition strongholds.
The interfaith Iftar, jointly hosted by the Office of the Vice President and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, featured prayers for national peace, unity, and prosperity. Muslim faithful broke their fast while Christian leaders observed Lenten reflections, symbolizing the administration’s commitment to religious tolerance in Africa’s most populous nation.
Religious leaders present, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III (represented), the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, and other clerics, commended the event as a model of interfaith cooperation. They called on political actors across the spectrum to prioritize national interest over partisan bickering.
Shettima’s pointed criticism of the opposition drew immediate reactions. Spokespersons for the PDP and ADC described the remarks as “diversionary” and an attempt to deflect attention from public complaints about inflation, unemployment, insecurity, and fuel scarcity. The ADC, in particular, dismissed the Vice President’s comments on its membership portal as “baseless propaganda,” insisting that the platform had been subjected to routine cybersecurity challenges common to digital systems.
Political observers note that the Vice President’s speech signals the beginning of a more assertive phase in APC messaging as the party prepares to defend its record and expand its dominance ahead of 2027. With primaries expected in 2026 and the general elections in 2027, both the ruling party and opposition camps are intensifying mobilization, fundraising, and public communication efforts.
The Tinubu administration continues to face scrutiny over its economic reforms—including the removal of fuel subsidies, unification of exchange rates, and efforts to boost non-oil revenue—which have triggered short-term hardship for millions of Nigerians even as macroeconomic indicators show gradual stabilization. The Vice President’s call for loyalty and active defense of the government reflects the APC’s determination to counter opposition narratives through direct engagement and grassroots mobilization.
As Nigeria enters what many analysts describe as the unofficial start of the 2027 election cycle, Vice President Shettima’s remarks have set the tone for a potentially combative and polarized political season.
