Presidency Denies Shettima Criticized Tinubu Over Fubara Suspension

The Presidency has dismissed reports claiming that Vice President Kashim Shettima indirectly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

In a statement issued Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the claims were described as a “misrepresentation” of remarks made by Shettima during a book launch in Abuja.

The event, held Thursday at the Yar’Adua Centre, marked the unveiling of OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block, authored by former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN).

Some online platforms had suggested that Shettima’s speech at the event subtly criticized President Tinubu’s handling of the Rivers State political crisis. However, the Presidency said such interpretations were “false and misleading.”

“The Office of the Vice President wishes to address and clarify recent misrepresentations regarding remarks made by His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima,” the statement said. “Certain online platforms and individuals have distorted the Vice President’s comments, falsely linking his historical references about the Jonathan administration’s consideration of his removal as Governor of Borno State during the insurgency to the current political developments in Rivers State.”

The Presidency insisted Shettima’s comments were taken out of context and meant solely to highlight constitutional evolution and Adoke’s professionalism while in office.

On the situation in Rivers State, the Presidency clarified that President Tinubu did not remove Governor Fubara from office, but constitutionally suspended him under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution due to a serious political crisis involving the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly and threats of impeachment.

It noted that Tinubu’s action had the support of a bipartisan majority in the National Assembly and was aimed at restoring order and effective governance in the state.

The statement also pointed out that comparing the Rivers crisis to the Boko Haram insurgency under Jonathan was inaccurate, as the former involved political instability, while the latter was a violent threat to national security.

“We emphasize that conflating suspension with removal is inaccurate and misleading,” the Presidency stated, adding that Shettima’s remarks were reflections on past governance and not related to the Rivers crisis.

It concluded by affirming the Vice President’s support for President Tinubu’s constitutional actions and urged political figures and media outlets to refrain from twisting public statements to cause confusion or conflict.