Shettima’s Comment Not Connected to Rivers Politics – VP’s office

The office of the Vice President has dismissed assertions linking Kashim Shettima‘s recent statements to the political situation in Rivers State.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, clarified in a release that Shettima’s comments pertained to historical incidents, not present federal actions in Rivers.

Vice President Shettima addressed an audience during a book launch in Abuja, alluding to previous efforts during Goodluck Jonathan‘s administration to oust him from his position as Borno State governor amid the Boko Haram crisis.

Nkwocha noted that certain media outlets wrongly interpreted this as a discussion regarding the government’s actions in Rivers, which involved the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Misreading of Historical Context

Nkwocha stressed that equating Shettima’s historical narrative with the present scenario in Rivers State is inaccurate. The President has not dismissed Governor Fubara; Shettima was merely recognizing Mohammed Bello Adoke’s contributions as a public figure in his comments, not addressing recent political occurrences.

The statement read: “Certain media platforms misconstrued the Vice President’s narrative of Jonathan’s administration contemplating his dismissal as Borno governor during severe insurgency, to construct a false narrative surrounding the state of emergency in Rivers...”

Nkwocha additionally clarified that Shettima’s address focused on Nigeria’s constitutional evolution, not present political matters.

President Tinubu’s engagement in Rivers was lawful and adhered to constitutional protocols, given the security threats and political unrest.

Media and political figures were called upon to refrain from politicising Shettima’s remarks or fabricating disputes within the administration. “Vice President Shettima aligns faithfully with President Tinubu,” Nkwocha insisted, cautioning against distorting statements to fabricate non-existent conflicts.

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