Delegate More Economic Responsibilities to Shettima, Okechukwu Urges Tinubu

A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to delegate greater responsibility for the nation’s economic affairs to Vice President Kashim Shettima following his retention as running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

Okechukwu made the appeal in a statement issued on Saturday, expressing satisfaction over Tinubu’s decision to retain Shettima after months of speculation over the vice-presidential slot.

According to him, while the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms have recorded significant gains in macroeconomic stability, the challenges of hunger and poverty remain widespread and require urgent attention.

“May I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for graciously retaining His Excellency Kashim Shettima as Vice President and humbly request that more powers be delegated to him to oversee economic affairs,” Okechukwu said.

He argued that the Vice President should be entrusted with greater economic responsibilities in view of his background in rural development and economic management.

“I am making this humble appeal based on the fact that the economic reforms of Mr. President have yielded significant gains at the macroeconomic stability level.

“However, hunger and poverty remain pressing challenges, which invariably require the urgent delegation of greater economic responsibilities to the Vice President, given his background in rural development and economic management,” he added.

Okechukwu also referenced the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2026 Article IV Consultation on Nigeria, which noted that the country requires more inclusive economic growth, with about 63 per cent of Nigerians living below the national poverty line.

He maintained that although the administration’s reforms have improved key macroeconomic indicators, greater efforts are needed to ensure that the gains translate into better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.

The APC chieftain said Shettima’s academic background in Agricultural Economics, experience in the banking sector and public service record position him to support policies aimed at reducing poverty, promoting rural development and driving more inclusive economic growth.