The Office of the Vice President has condemned what it described as the gross misrepresentation of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s remarks during a public event in Abuja, warning against the politicization of historical commentary for sensational headlines.
The Vice President had spoken on Thursday at the public presentation of the book “OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block” by former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), held at the Yar’Adua Centre. His comments, according to a statement signed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), were distorted by some media outlets.
According to the statement, Shettima’s account of past events — specifically the alleged plan to remove him as Governor of Borno State during the Jonathan administration amid the Boko Haram insurgency — was presented merely as a historical reference, not a commentary on current affairs or a veiled attack on the Tinubu administration.
The Vice President’s remarks, the statement stressed, were meant to highlight Nigeria’s constitutional evolution and the maturity of its democracy in resolving federal-state tensions through legal means. “His remarks were illustrative and not aimed at drawing parallels with current developments in Rivers State,” Nkwocha stated.
The statement further clarified that President Bola Tinubu did not remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office but only initiated a constitutional suspension as part of a broader state of emergency declared to quell escalating political instability in Rivers State.
Citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the statement explained that the President acted within his constitutional powers following credible reports of violence, paralysis of governance, and attacks on federal assets in the state. It added that the National Assembly ratified the proclamation in accordance with constitutional provisions, signalling bipartisan consensus on the matter.
The Presidency warned against “cynical attempts” to twist academic or historical commentary into perceived criticism, calling such practices irresponsible and damaging to national cohesion.
“Vice President Shettima remains fully aligned with President Tinubu’s commitment to constitutional governance and the rule of law. The administration is united in purpose and focused on safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” the statement concluded.
