The Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly condemned a statement credited to Vice President Kashim Shettima, referring to him (Obi), as “diminished.”

The NDC presidential flag-bearer in a statement by his Media Office, noted that since the commencement of his campaign, he has neither discussed nor used abusive language against anyone.

The statement signed by the Spokesman of Peter Obi Media Office, Idris Zekeri jnr. and made available to SummitNews, expressed dismay that VP Shettima called on Northerners to show respect to former VP Atiku Abubakar, while he made a disparaging statement against Mr. Obi

The statement called South-East political leaders who had shown disrespect towards Obi to take a lesson from VP Shettima, “who joined them in disparaging their brother, while demanding respect for his Northern counterpart in the opposition.”

The statement reads in full: “Peter Obi Media Office strongly condemns Vice President Kashim Shettima’s disparaging comments about our principal, NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi.

“The VP discourteously referred to Obi as “diminished” while calling on Northerners to show respect to Atiku Abubakar. Possibly because he is a Northerner.

“Although Shettima has the right to oppose Obi, it is difficult to understand why he would demand respect for one opposition leader while casually dismissing another.

.”As a man of great decency, our candidate has conducted his campaign professionally and in a decorous manner.

.”He has consistently focused his remarks on issues and has neither discussed nor used abusive language against anyone. Shettima and Obi served as governors during the same period.

“However, Obi’s performance in Anambra State across key areas of governance surpassed Shettima’s record in Borno State, as demonstrated by performance statistics and the awards he received.

“During his tenure as governor of Anambra, Peter Obi earned recognition for his fiscal discipline and investments in education and healthcare. If Shettima contests any aspect of Obi’s record, he should present the facts rather than resort to political name-calling.

“The Media Office also calls on South-East political leaders who have shown disrespect toward Obi to take a lesson from the Vice President, who joined them in disparaging their brother while demanding respect for his northern counterpart in the opposition.

“We urge Igbo leaders in the APC and all Nigerians to draw the appropriate lesson from this episode and note that political loyalty must never justify tolerating disrespect toward a fellow Nigerian.

“Those who oppose Obi should scrutinise his ideas and record rather than resorting to personal abuse. Nigeria needs a contest based on records and ideas, not selective respect and political denigration. The Nigerian people, rather than Shettima’s rhetoric, will determine Peter Obi’s political relevance.”