The Presidency has debunked claims that Vice President Kashim Shettima took a swipe at President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the Rivers State crisis, clarifying that the Vice President's recent comments were misinterpreted and had no connection to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s suspension or the declaration of a state of emergency.
In a statement issued Friday and signed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the Presidency described the media interpretation of Shettima’s remarks as “gross misrepresentation” and “reckless distortion.”
Shettima had spoken at the launch of a new book, OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block, by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), on July 10 at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. In his speech, Shettima recalled how, as Borno State governor, the Jonathan administration once considered removing him from office at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency.
Several media reports suggested the remarks were veiled criticism of President Tinubu’s recent actions in Rivers State. But Nkwocha said such interpretations were either made in ignorance or deliberately aimed at sowing division.
He said the Vice President’s remarks were “strictly historical,” intended to highlight Nigeria’s constitutional evolution and the maturity of its democracy in resolving federal-state tensions.
“The sensational reporting disappointingly tried to erect a mendacious argument about the state of emergency declared in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Fubara by President Tinubu,” the statement noted.
Nkwocha stressed that Tinubu’s actions in Rivers were constitutional, citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows emergency measures during a breakdown of law and order. He added that the National Assembly overwhelmingly ratified the emergency proclamation.
He further stated that Shettima’s speech had nothing to do with current political developments, saying it was “an academic reflection on public service and constitutional resilience.”
“The Vice President stands firmly with President Tinubu in implementing difficult but necessary actions to protect our democracy,” Nkwocha said.
He called on media outlets and political actors to refrain from twisting public commentary to fit false narratives, urging a return to responsible discourse.
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