By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) has criticised Vice President Kashim Shettima over his description of former Anambra State governor and NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi as “diminished,” accusing him of showing selective respect to opposition leaders.

In a statement issued on Sunday, October 18, 2026, and signed electronically by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, the media office said Shettima’s comment was an affront to political decency, particularly as he had called on Northerners to show respect to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

POMR said it was difficult to understand why the Vice President would demand respect for one opposition figure while dismissing another, arguing that political differences should not justify personal attacks.

“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,” the statement said.

The media office described Obi as a politician who had conducted his campaigns professionally and focused on issues rather than abusive language against opponents.

“As a man of great decency, our candidate has conducted his campaign professionally and decorously. He has consistently focused his remarks on issues and has neither discussed nor used abusive language against anyone,” it stated.

POMR also compared the records of Obi and Shettima, who served as governors during the same period, claiming that Obi’s performance in Anambra State surpassed Shettima’s record in Borno State.

It cited Obi’s fiscal discipline and investments in education and healthcare as areas in which he received recognition, adding that Shettima should present evidence if he disputed Obi’s record.

“If Shettima contests any aspect of Obi’s record, he should present the facts rather than resort to political name-calling,” the statement added.

The group also criticised some South-East political leaders whom it accused of showing disrespect towards Obi, urging them to reflect on the Vice President’s comments and their implications for political loyalty.

“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,” POMR said.

The media office called for political debates centred on candidates’ ideas and records rather than personal attacks, insisting that voters would ultimately determine Obi’s political relevance.

“Nigeria needs a contest based on records and ideas, not selective respect and political denigration,” the statement said.