Kashim Shettima has pointed fingers at opposition leaders Obi and Atiku, accusing them of orchestrating a plot to destabilize Nigeria following their defeat in the 2023 general election.
Speaking at a conference on Public Wealth Management in Abuja, Shettima alleged that these politicians are resorting to desperate measures, including smuggling food out of the country to trigger food price hikes and plunge the nation into chaos.
Shettima revealed that recent interceptions of trucks smuggling food out of the country have thwarted such efforts, leading to a decrease in the price of maize. He emphasized the need for unity in the face of these challenges, stating, “Forces are hell-bent on plunging this country into a state of anarchy. Those who could not get to power through the ballot box, instead of waiting till 2027, are so desperate.”
Abubaker Atiku and Peter Obi
While Shettima refrained from naming specific individuals, his remarks come in the context of ongoing criticism from opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi towards the government’s economic policies, particularly its handling of inflation and rising food prices. Despite economic challenges predating the current administration, the sudden removal of fuel subsidies and the fluctuating value of the naira have exacerbated the situation, with petrol prices skyrocketing and the naira depreciating against the dollar.
A recent market survey by the highlighted the significant increase in food prices since the assumption of the current government. Spiraling inflation, estimated to be nearly 30% by the National Bureau of Statistics, has further compounded the issue, prompting protests in various states across the country.
In response to public outcry, the government has taken steps to alleviate the situation, including releasing grain reserves and cracking down on food hoarders. The International Monetary Fund has commended the government’s structural reforms and measures to mitigate the impact of inflation on living conditions.