The Presidency has responded to circulating claims that Vice President Kashim Shettima indirectly criticized the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State during a recent public speech. According to the Office of the Vice President, Shettima’s comments were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
The controversy began after Shettima delivered remarks at the public presentation of the book titled “OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block” by former Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN). Some online platforms claimed the Vice President referenced Fubara’s situation when recalling how the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan once considered removing him as Governor of Borno during the height of insurgency.
In a statement released on Friday, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), emphasized that Shettima’s comments were historical reflections and not connected to recent political developments.
“Certain online platforms and individuals have distorted the Vice President’s comments… ignoring the clear constitutional and contextual differences between the two situations,” the statement said.
To clarify, the statement reiterated that President Tinubu did not remove Governor Fubara, but rather suspended him constitutionally under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution due to the grave political crisis in the state, including the demolition of the state House of Assembly and threats of impeachment.
The Presidency also emphasized that Shettima’s remarks were intended to commend the professionalism of Adoke during his time as AGF, not to question current events.
“The Vice President’s comments were not directed at current events… but were intended to underscore accountability, constitutional growth, and principled public service.”
The Presidency warned against conflating suspension with removal, calling such interpretations inaccurate and misleading, and urged media outlets and political figures to avoid twisting public statements for sensationalism or political gain.
