The Presidency has clarified that Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s statements at a book launch in Abuja on Thursday, July 10, do not constitute any form of criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s actions regarding the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers.
Recall that during the book launch, Shettima recounted how former Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and former Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke asked former President Goodluck Jonathan not to remove him from his position as Governor of Borno State because he lacked the constitutional authority to do so.
Shettima stated that Jonathan had contemplated issuing an executive order for his dismissal in response to the kidnapping of the Chibok girls and the heightened unrest in Borno state. Adoke and Tambuwal, however, opposed it, arguing that Jonathan lacked the authority to remove an elected council member from office, not to mention a state governor.
Some Nigerians perceived Shettima’s remarks as subtly criticising President Tinubu’s decision to suspend Sim Fubara, the governor of Rivers state.
At a press conference in Abuja, Stanley Nkwocha, the Office of the Vice President’s Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, referred to the reports as a “gross misrepresentation.” According to him, Kashim Shettima, his principal, fully supports President Tinubu’s decision regarding the Rivers state issues.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
