The Presidency has dismissed claims that Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent comments were a hidden jab at President Bola Tinubu’s decisions or a critique of the political situation in Rivers State.
In a statement released Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the Presidency described the claims as a “gross misrepresentation” crafted to stir controversy.
Setting the Record Straight
The Vice President had spoken at the launch of “OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block”, authored by former Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN). According to the Presidency, Shettima’s account of how the Jonathan administration once considered removing him as Borno State Governor during the insurgency was meant to highlight Adoke’s integrity and the challenges of federal-state dynamics—not a reference to current events in Rivers State.
Suspension, Not Removal
Nkwocha clarified that President Tinubu did not remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Rather, the President invoked a constitutional suspension under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution in response to a political crisis involving a threatened impeachment and the demolition of the State Assembly complex.
“The measure taken was a suspension to restore order, not an outright removal,” the statement emphasized, adding that the President’s action was later ratified by a bipartisan majority in the National Assembly.
Full Support from the Vice President
The Presidency also stressed that Shettima’s remarks were spontaneous and meant to promote accountability and historical reflection. He referenced past leaders like Adoke and former Speaker Aminu Tambuwal as examples of responsible governance—not to criticize the President or his decisions.
“The Vice President remains fully aligned with President Tinubu and supports all constitutional efforts to uphold democracy and stability in the country,” the statement concluded.
The Presidency called on media outlets and political commentators to stop twisting statements to create conflict where none exists.
