The Presidency has debunked claims that Vice President Kashim Shettima criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The clarification follows a wave of online speculation sparked by Shettima’s remarks at the book launch of former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Presidency Breaks Silence on Misinterpretation
In a statement released Friday by Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the Presidency dismissed the claims as false and taken out of context.
- “Certain online platforms and individuals have distorted the Vice President’s comments, falsely linking his historical reference about the Jonathan administration’s attempt to remove him as Borno governor to the current political situation in Rivers State,” the statement read.
- “This misrepresentation is misleading and ignores the clear constitutional and contextual differences between the two situations.”
What Shettima Actually Said at the Event
At the book launch of “OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block”, Shettima had recounted how the Jonathan administration once considered removing him as Governor of Borno State, and how legal counsel from Bello Adoke prevented that from happening.
Critics online interpreted this as a veiled jab at President Tinubu’s recent political decisions involving Governor Fubara.
Presidency: Tinubu Acted Within the Constitution
The statement emphasized that President Tinubu did not remove Governor Fubara from office, but rather acted within the law:
“In response to a grave political crisis—including the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly and threats of impeachment—the President constitutionally suspended Governor Fubara under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution.”
Shettima Stands by Tinubu
According to the statement, Vice President Shettima fully supports President Tinubu’s actions and has not made any statement against the suspension of Governor Fubara.
- “His references to past events were intended to highlight Nigeria’s constitutional evolution and the legal frameworks used to manage federal-state relations—not to interfere in ongoing political matters.”
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🔍 Key Takeaways:
- Shettima did not criticize Tinubu regarding Rivers politics.
- His comments referred to a past incident under Jonathan’s administration.
- Tinubu acted constitutionally under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution.
- The Presidency calls for responsible reporting and an end to false narratives.
📌 Conclusion: Clarification Ends Speculation
With this official clarification, the Presidency has laid to rest the swirling rumours surrounding Vice President Shettima’s comments. The Federal Government is urging the media and political actors to avoid misinterpretation and respect the rule of law in all matters of governance.
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