Shettima: South-East Has ‘Better Qualified’ Leaders Than Obi

Vice President Kashim Shettima has thrown Nigeria’s political space into fresh turmoil after insisting that no one can force their way into the presidency through pressure or intimidation.

The Vice President made the remarks on Wednesday, stressing that leadership in a country as diverse as Nigeria demands trust, broad acceptance, and genuine coalition-building rather than threats or blackmail.

“In a multi-ethnic, multi-religious politics like ours, nobody can bulldoze his way to power through deceit, intimidation, threats or blackmail,” Shettima declared. “You get to power by building bridges and reaching out.”

He however threw his full support behind the emergence of a president from the South-East, describing it as a vital move to heal the deep scars left by the Nigerian Civil War.

“I am for the emergence of a Nigerian president of South-Eastern extraction to heal the wounds of the civil war,” he said, even as he faulted what he called confrontational styles by some actors from the region.

Shettima went further, claiming the South-East has individuals far more qualified for the country’s top job than the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

He singled out former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha for his wide national network and cross-regional influence. He also praised former Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi for his solid record in infrastructure delivery, calling him one of the most effective leaders to emerge from the zone.

Drawing from Nigeria’s political playbook, Shettima pointed to the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s success through grassroots alliances and nationwide reach, noting that real victories come from such broad-based strategies rather than narrow regional appeal.

NaijaChoice News has monitored the swift backlash, especially from Obi’s supporters who see the comments as a direct jab at the former Anambra governor and his strong youth following.

Political watchers believe the statement is early positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, as talks around power rotation and regional equity continue to dominate national discourse.

With the 2023 polls still fresh in memory, Shettima’s intervention has once again highlighted the delicate balance of ethnicity, history, and strategy that defines leadership contests in Africa’s largest democracy.