₦airaland Forum

No, his comments have no link with Fubara — Presidency



PICTURE a Vice President stepping up to a podium, his voice calm but heavy with meaning. Every word lands like a stone in water.

That was the scene on Thursday at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, as Vice President Kashim Shettima spoke at the launch of ‘OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigeria Oil Block,’ a memoir by former Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke.

What started as a tribute to Adoke’s integrity soon took a dramatic turn. Shettima’s account of how he survived a 2014 plot to remove him as Governor of Borno State under President Goodluck Jonathan has stirred debate: was he indirectly criticising President Bola Tinubu’s controversial suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara?

In Nigeria’s charged political space, where loyalty and ambition constantly clash, Shettima’s speech raises a key question: Is he challenging the very government he serves?

This is Nigeria’s political chessboard, where every move is analysed. Shettima, a veteran of Borno’s stormy years, shared how he was once seen as the nation’s prime enemy during the peak of the Boko Haram crisis.

His story opens the door to a wider conversation about leadership, the limits of the constitution, and the fragile balance that holds Nigeria’s democracy together.

A Governor’s Trial and a Lawyer’s Stand
Shettima took the audience back to 2014. At the time, Borno was under siege from insurgents, and he was under intense pressure as its governor. During a Federal Executive Council meeting, Jonathan reportedly considered removing him from office, a move that would have pushed constitutional limits.

Then came Adoke’s intervention. The former Attorney General stood firm.

“Mr. President, you lack the constitutional authority to remove a sitting governor, not even a local government councillor,” Adoke reportedly said, with support from fellow cabinet member and Senior Advocate, Kabiru Turaki.
Their advice prevailed, and Shettima remained governor. It forged strong bonds among Shettima, Adoke, Turaki and then-House Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, united in their stand for the rule of law.

The episode shows the importance of legal advice in checking political power. But why is Shettima revisiting it now?
His praise for Adoke’s “fearless moral fortitude” feels like more than a history lesson. It shines a light on today’s political tensions, especially in Rivers State, where Governor Fubara’s suspension has raised eyebrows.

A Subtle Critique or Just a Reflection?
Shettima called Adoke a ‘paragon of indomitable courage’, someone who stood firm in tough times. His words seem to echo into today’s political climate, where President Tinubu’s actions in Rivers have drawn comparisons.

In Rivers, a state of emergency and Fubara’s suspension were explained as responses to political violence. But critics say they go too far and lack constitutional backing.

By contrast, Jonathan listened to legal advice and stepped back. Tinubu acted swiftly, and critics argue that democratic structures were weakened.


Shettima’s focus on legal limits and unity stands in sharp contrast to the unrest in Rivers.

He also noted how figures from across political parties, including PDP, APC, NNPP, and others, were all in attendance at the event.

“What binds us together surpasses whatever divides us… Senator Daggash, are you in ADC or APC or PDP? Only God knows,” he joked.

These light-hearted moments, observed by media personality Dr Reuben Abati as ‘jovial,’ still carried sharp political undercurrents.

History as a Mirror for Today
Rivers’ crisis, with its broken State Assembly and impeachment drama, resembles the type of political manoeuvring Shettima described from his past. Is his speech a quiet protest? Is he eyeing the future?

Arise TV anchor, Rufai Oseni, didn’t hold back. He criticised both Jonathan and Tinubu, but more strongly condemned Tinubu’s actions in Rivers.

“The frivolousness of suspending Governor Fubara was shocking,” Oseni said. He wondered why no one like Adoke stood up to advise the president today.

His view tied neatly into the core of Shettima’s speech: that sound legal advice protects democracy.

Dr Reuben Abati, who was present in 2014 and at Shettima’s speech, offered a different view.

“The circumstances in 2014 were entirely different,” he said, pointing out that Borno faced a national security crisis, while Rivers is dealing with political infighting.


He also clarified that Shettima talked about removal, not suspension, and didn’t aim to criticise Tinubu.
Still, the comparisons are hard to ignore. Some say Shettima may be preparing to challenge the system from within, perhaps with 2027 in mind.

Unity Reaffirmed in Presidency, Doubts Remain
The Vice President’s office quickly responded to the growing controversy. A statement signed by Stanley Nkwocha called media reports “a gross misrepresentation” of Shettima’s speech.

The statement stressed that his remarks were simply a historical reflection, not a swipe at Tinubu.

It defended Tinubu’s actions as constitutional, citing Section 305 of the constitution, which allows for federal action in states facing a breakdown of public order. It also stated that Fubara was suspended, not removed, and that both the House of Assembly and the National Assembly were involved.

“Shettima stands shoulder to shoulder with Tinubu,” the statement declared, urging the media to avoid sowing division.
But even with that assurance, the questions remain.


His remarks, even if made in passing, reveal the delicate state of Nigerian democracy. Is Shettima a loyal deputy? Or is he making a calculated move on the national stage, perhaps with 2027 in mind?

Only time will tell.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/07/is-shettima-rebelling-against-tinubu/

I love how Vice president Shettima has been handling those who want to deliberately pitch him against president Tinubu.

We are yet to read about any misunderstanding between president Tinubu and VP Shettima, all you have been reading are gossip news

Replacing Shettima might be costly politically because before departing, things might have been scattered which won't be good for the reelection. In my own access, Shettima is not doing bad, he should be retained

there are some BOT humans here that support this evil party called APC🥵
They are always in every thread generating BOT likes for Thier deceptive self as if likes matters🤪
they are the paid miscreants from APC to always attact innocent nairalanders at every thread but they will fail 2027🥵
sai ADC!💪💪💪💪💪

If your salary is not up to 5m a month and you are here supporting Tinubu then you don't have a single iota of sense

Shettima made an innocent remark that had nothing to do with Rivers crisis. The opposition clamped on it and twisted the story. It's so unfortunate the kind of politics we play in this country.

SalamRushdie:
If your salary is not up to 5m a month and you are here supporting Tinubu then you don't have a single iota of sense

You are not making sense with this post. So those who are supporting the opposition are rich people? The civil servants who are supporting Peter Obi and other candidates, how much are they earning?

Which kind of reasoning be this Aeroplane spare part seller. You never even update us again about that even upon the bragging then

There is seriously a frosty no-love-lost relationship between the two men up there. They can only pretend but can't hide it. It is not called politics for name sake.

Racoon:
There is seriously a frosty no-love-lost relationship between the two men up there. They can only pretend but can't hide it. It is not called politics for name sake.

Okay. So how would you describe the relationship between Peter Obi and the coalition party, ADC. Apart from David Mark, other top coalition leaders are former APC meaning Peter Obi is an Alien in that gathering

helinues:
You are not making sense with this post. So those who are supporting the opposition are rich people? The civil servants who are supporting Peter Obi and other candidates, how much are they earning?

Which kind of reasoning be this Aeroplane spare part seller. You never even update us again about that even upon the bragging then

Still into aircraft brokerage , last I did was a hawker 800XP , that was 2023 , no new deals since then though so if you have client for me holla . Still have plans for floating my own na funds I dey find still and timing as the economy is not the best for aviation right now ..
Back to my post is 50k in 2014 was 300 dollars but today 300$ is a bout 500k , that's some heavy devaluation, if you were earning 500k a month in 2014 to keep up with your standard of living you need to earn 5m ...Maybe people like you are doing big govt contracts so you can't understand the point I am making . The devaluation is just too much ... Happy elections

I like the way Shettima is handling Tinubu and exposing his cluelessness..

Racoon:
There is seriously a frosty no-love-lost relationship between the two men up there. They can only pretend but can't hide it. It is not called politics for name sake.

When you 0bidients were mocking Tinubu after his speech in Abeokuta, it was men like Shettima who stood beside him.

Some of you ibos/obidients/IPOB on the social media can keep on wasting una time over nothing.

Ikaeniyan0:
When you 0bidients were mocking Tinubu after his speech in Abeokuta, it was men like Shettima who stood beside him.

Some of you ibos/obidients/IPOB on the social media can keep on wasting una time over nothing.

When Tinubu was rambling, bulabaying, balabuing, screaming Emilokan' in Abeokuta, it wasn’t Shettima’s presence that saved him, it was the silence of Nigerians who chose to laugh instead of cry, not knowing that his emergence would bring untold hardship: soaring hunger, deepening poverty, crippling insecurity, a worthless Naira, and a collapsing economy.

listen, criticizing incompetence isn’t 'mockery'; it’s called holding leaders accountable something sycophants like you will never understand.

Throwing around ‘Igbos,’ ‘Obidients,’ or ‘IPOB’ like insults doesn’t prove a point, it only exposes your tribal insecurity. This isn’t about tribe; it’s about the future of a country being run into the ground by men who specialize in propaganda,lies, falsehood, photo ops and praise-singing.

So yes, we gonna ‘keep wasting our time’ speaking the truth while you keep licking boots for crumbs and Tinubu's dilápidatéd mandate

helinues:
I love how Vice president Shettima has been handling those who want to deliberately pitch him against president Tinubu.

We are yet to read about any misunderstanding between president Tinubu and VP Shettima, all you have been reading are gossip news

Replacing Shettima might be costly politically because before departing, things might have been scattered which won't be good for the reelection. In my own access, Shettima is not doing bad, he should be retained

Honestly speaking

The guy is going rogue bro and I know Tinubu must be aware already


He is speaking out of line deliberately these days

You can't blame the opposition for latching on, he is up to something...

Ofunaofu:
When Tinubu was rambling, bulabaying, balabuing, screaming Emilokan' in Abeokuta, it wasn’t Shettima’s presence that saved him, it was the silence of Nigerians who chose to laugh instead of cry, not knowing that his emergence would bring untold hardship: soaring hunger, deepening poverty, crippling insecurity, a worthless Naira, and a collapsing economy.

listen, criticizing incompetence isn’t 'mockery'; it’s called holding leaders accountable something sycophants like you will never understand.

Throwing around ‘Igbos,’ ‘Obidients,’ or ‘IPOB’ like insults doesn’t prove a point, it only exposes your tribal insecurity. This isn’t about tribe; it’s about the future of a country being run into the ground by men who specialize in propaganda,lies, falsehood, photo ops and praise-singing.

So yes, we gonna ‘keep wasting our time’ speaking the truth while you keep licking boots for crumbs and Tinubu's dilápidatéd mandate

Tinubu a Yoruba Muslim is the president of Nigeria and he will rule Nigeria till May 29 2031

Peter 0bi will never become the president of Nigeria