₦airaland Forum

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has recounted how former President Goodluck Jonathan tried to remove him as governor of Borno State.

Shettima spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the public presentation of a book titled ‘OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 billion Nigeria Oil Block’, authored by former Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, SAN.

Shettima stated that during the final four years of Jonathan’s administration, he was the most demonized individual and was seen as public enemy number one.

“There are two gentlemen seated here. Certain decisions are taken in a very rare circle. The President, the Vice President, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“In one of such conclaves, former President Goodluck Jonathan with whom we have sheathed the sword and have now recalibrated our relationship was muting the idea of removing this Borno governor.

“Aminu Tambuwal, the then Speaker of the House of Representatives had the courage to tell the President that your Excellency, you don’t have the powers to remove an elected councillor.

“The President was still not convinced, he muted the idea at the Federal Executive Council,” Shettima said.

The Vice-President also praise Adoke for his courage, conviction and unwavering commitment to his principles.

“He (Mr Adoke) told the then President that Mr President you do not have the powers to remove a sitting governor not even a councillor.

“They sought for the opinion of another SAN in the cabinet, Kabiru Turaki, who said ‘I’m concurring with the opinion of my senior colleague’.

“That was how the matter was laid to rest but that was how my relationship with Mr Adoke and Aminu Tambuwal became eternally sealed.”

Shettima also commended Adoke for the courage to forgive all those who had offended him in the course of his public duty.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 26-chapter book on the OPL 245, also known as Malabu oil deal scandal, centres on a 2011 agreement in which Royal Dutch Shell and Italy’s Eni paid $1.3 billion to acquire Nigeria’s deep-water oil licence.

The oil block is believed to hold nine billion barrels of crude.

https://dailypost.ng/2025/07/10/how-jonathan-tried-to-remove-me-as-borno-governor-vice-president-shettima/

Representing former President Jonathan at the event, one-time President of the Senate and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim echoed a profound truth: that power belongs to God.

SamGift0817:
Vice President Kashim Shettima led the dignitaries who turned out for the public presentation of book “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3BN Nigerian oil block”, a personal account by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke.

At the heart of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja power bowed to posterity as Vice President Shettima took the stage not just to represent the Presidency, but to reflect on history, pain, and
reconciliation.

The Vice President reflected on how, as Governor of Borno State, President Goodluck Jonathan once attempted to remove him from office, a move he said was halted by the intervention of Bello Adoke and then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, but yoday, both men have since buried the hatchet.


With voices from across political divides and dignitaries such as former Kano Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai and one-time Kwara Governor and former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki. In a rare bipartisan atmosphere, the gathering brought together voices from both past and present administrations, serving and former members of the National Assembly, governors, ministers, and legal minds.

Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde, who served as Chief Presenter, did not mince words. He reminded the country that the oil block at the centre of the Malabo scandal holds an estimated nine billion barrels of crude oil, enough to shift Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP. But he insisted that the real issue was not just about oil, but about how Nigeria administers its resources.

For Adoke, the book, “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3BN Nigerian oil block” was not a vendetta, it was vindication. With calm resolve, he recalled his years in exile, the raid on his apartments in both Nigeria and the Netherlands, his 55 days in EFCC detention, and the long legal battle that ended in acquittal after eight harrowing years.


“I do not set out to denigrate anyone. But no public officer should be persecuted under the guise of prosecution. The scars are real. The pain is real. But I forgive them all.” He revealed that former EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu, had since apologised. But Adoke urged him to extend that apology to others who were wronged. “Prosecutors must not become persecutors. No matter the pressure, the law must remain sacred.”

Saraki while describing the impact of the scars of the ordeal encouraged public servants to document their experience in office for posterity. “When you’re in government, be transparent. The scars of public service can live on, even after you’re gone. And sometimes, your children are left to bear the burden.”

In a moment of unexpected introspection, El-Rufai appealed to those in power to remember that their own day of reckoning will come. He noted Adoke’s critical role in convincing President Jonathan to concede the 2015 election, a decision that helped Nigeria avert a political crisis.


Representing former President Jonathan at the event, one-time President of the Senate and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim echoed a profound truth: that power belongs to God.

You no reach to remove?

Fubara was removed for literally no reason

GEJ declared a state of emergency in Borno but let Shettima remain as governor. He didn’t play politics with the existing government in Borno as some drug barons shamelessly do.

Borno was overrun and almost ungovernable at the time yet Shettima was allowed to remain governor.

The reason we write these things is for Nigerians to always remember history and know that if they don’t remove this imposter democrat in office in 2027, he will be more emboldened to destroy whatever is left of Nigeria’s democracy

Tinubu has now successfully lost Benue, Zamfara, Katsina, Plateau, Adamawa, FCT and now, Borno State.