The Presidency has distanced Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s recent comments from the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, saying they bear no connection to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a statement released on Friday, Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), described recent media interpretations of Shettima’s remarks as “deliberate misrepresentations” aimed at stirring unnecessary controversy.
Shettima had, on Thursday, spoken at the public presentation of OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigerian Oil Block, a memoir by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke.
During the event, the Vice-President recounted how the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan allegedly attempted to remove him as governor of Borno State during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency.
Some media reports interpreted the remarks as a subtle jab at President Tinubu’s handling of the crisis in Rivers, where Governor Fubara was suspended following a constitutional proclamation of emergency rule.
However, the Presidency insists Shettima’s narrative was strictly historical and meant to acknowledge the political courage displayed during the Jonathan era.
“Some news outlets have irresponsibly twisted the Vice-President’s account,” Nkwocha stated.
“His remarks were historical, intended to highlight the professionalism of Mohammed Adoke and the courage of then-Speaker Aminu Tambuwal in defending constitutionalism.”
He emphasized that Tinubu’s actions in Rivers followed due process and constitutional guidelines.
“President Tinubu did not remove Governor Fubara from office. What was declared was a suspension guided by Section 305(2) of the 1999 Constitution and duly ratified by a bipartisan majority in the National Assembly,” the statement read.
Nkwocha warned that politicizing Shettima’s comments at a time of national sensitivity could undermine efforts to maintain unity.
“It is dangerous to politicise such statements, especially at a time when unity and clear-headedness are most needed,” he said.
“Vice-President Shettima remains committed to the administration’s goals and continues to uphold democratic values, rule of law, and constitutional order.”
The Rivers political crisis has drawn national attention following escalating tensions between Governor Fubara and factions within the state’s political structure.
President Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule was widely debated, prompting reactions across the political divide.
The Presidency’s clarification appears aimed at calming speculation over perceived cracks within the leadership, insisting that both the President and his deputy are working in synergy to stabilize Nigeria’s democracy.
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