Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has subtly indicated his disapproval of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State.
President Tinubu, on 18 March 2025, announced the emergency measure citing deep concern over the state’s escalating political tensions, particularly accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara of orchestrating the demolition of the State House of Assembly complex. Consequently, the president suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Dr Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) was subsequently appointed as Sole Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
Speaking on Thursday at the public presentation of a memoir by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, Shettima drew a striking parallel with his own experience as Governor of Borno State.
He recounted how former President Goodluck Jonathan once attempted to remove him as governor. Shettima narrated that the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, had cautioned President Jonathan, stating: “Your Excellency, you don’t have the power to remove even a councillor of a local government.”
Despite this, Jonathan persisted and raised the matter at a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. However, Adoke, according to Shettima, firmly advised against it, maintaining that the president lacked the constitutional authority to effect such removal.
“I admire Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke fundamentally for his courage, his conviction, and his capacity to stand for what he believes in,” Shettima remarked. “He told the then President, ‘Mr President, you do not have the power to remove the Governor’.”
Shettima’s carefully worded intervention is already fuelling speculation of a widening rift between the vice president and President Tinubu. Amid persistent rumours that Tinubu may reconsider his choice of running mate ahead of the 2027 elections, Shettima’s comments will likely deepen scrutiny of their evolving political relationship.
