The Presidency has dismissed claims linking Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent comments to the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, clarifying that the remarks were purely in reference to the professional conduct of former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN).
In a statement issued by the Office of the Vice President, the Presidency accused some online platforms of misrepresenting Shettima’s remarks, which were made during the launch of Adoke’s book, OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block, held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on July 10.
According to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Shettima’s speech referenced historical events during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, particularly the period when he, as Borno State Governor, faced threats of removal amid the Boko Haram insurgency.
“Shettima’s comments were meant to acknowledge Adoke’s professionalism while in office and were not related to current political developments in Rivers State,” the statement read.
The Presidency rejected suggestions that Shettima’s comments were veiled criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s recent actions regarding the Rivers crisis, stressing that Governor Fubara was not removed, but temporarily suspended in accordance with constitutional provisions.
It further explained that the federal intervention followed a severe political crisis in Rivers State, including the demolition of the House of Assembly complex and an attempted impeachment of the governor, and was aimed at restoring stability.
The statement warned against comparing the Boko Haram insurgency with the Rivers political unrest, describing such parallels as misleading due to the stark differences in scale, legal context, and national security implications.
Citing Section 305 of the Constitution, the Presidency maintained that President Tinubu’s action was both lawful and necessary, noting that it was endorsed by a bipartisan majority in the National Assembly.
