ABUJA, October 26, 2026 — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has criticised Vice President Kashim Shettima for mocking former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s educational background, accusing him of diverting attention from Nigeria’s rising cost of living.
In a statement on Monday, Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said Shettima made the remarks at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, where he criticised Atiku for attending the Kano School of Hygiene.
Shaibu said the vice president should focus on the economic difficulties facing Nigerians rather than attack Atiku’s educational history.
“What, exactly, is shameful about Atiku’s education?” Shaibu asked, arguing that Atiku’s educational journey reflected the experiences of millions of Nigerians who had pursued schooling and professional advancement despite financial constraints.
ADC Questions Tinubu’s Educational Records
Shaibu also raised questions about President Bola Tinubu’s educational records, citing documents associated with his studies at Chicago State University.
He alleged that a document in Tinubu’s university records listed him as having graduated from Government College Lagos in 1970, although the school was established in 1974.
The ADC campaign official challenged Shettima to address the discrepancy, arguing that questions about Tinubu’s educational history deserved scrutiny.
Shaibu also referred to the name
“Tinubu Bola Adekunle” on a National Youth Service Corps certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying Atiku had challenged the discrepancy in court.
He further noted that documents relating to Tinubu’s Chicago State University records had been the subject of litigation in the United States.
The statement also referred to a 1993 forfeiture involving Tinubu in Chicago following a narcotics investigation, which Shaibu said remained relevant to public scrutiny.
The allegations and interpretations in the statement were presented by the ADC campaign council as part of its criticism of the president and vice president.
ADC Links Debate to Cost-of-Living Crisis
Shaibu argued that the exchange over Atiku’s education had diverted attention from the economic pressures confronting households, including rising food and transport costs.
He cited projections on poverty and food insecurity to underscore the scale of the challenges facing Nigerians, saying many households struggled to afford basic necessities.
“Poverty is not a future threat to these families. It is the life they are struggling through today,” he said.
Shaibu also challenged the government to explain how its economic policies would ease the burden on households and workers.
Atiku’s Proposed Petrol Subsidy
The ADC official defended Atiku’s proposal for a targeted and capped subsidy tied to petrol refined in Nigeria, saying the plan would be subject to independent audits.
He challenged Shettima to publish figures showing why the proposal would be financially unworkable and to present alternative measures to reduce fuel prices.
“If Shettima thinks it cannot be funded, he should show his figures and offer a better way to lower prices,” Shaibu said.
The statement argued that personal attacks would not address the cost of transportation, fuel and food, which remain central concerns for households.
ADC Targets 2027 Presidential Election
Shaibu also criticised the Tinubu administration’s record, arguing that Nigerians would assess the government’s performance in the 2027 general election.
He described Tinubu’s emergence as president in 2023 as an electoral mistake and predicted that voters would seek a change in leadership.
The ADC campaign council said Nigerians would use the ballot box to express their dissatisfaction with the administration.
