Presidency Denies Rift as Shettima’s Jonathan Comment Goes Viral

The Nigerian Presidency has denied reports that Vice President Kashim Shettima compared President Bola Tinubu to former President Goodluck Jonathan regarding the removal of a state governor.

Presidency Says Remarks Were Twisted

On Friday, Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), said some media platforms deliberately twisted Shettima’s comments.

According to Nkwocha, Shettima spoke at the launch of a book titled “OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block”, written by former Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke.

Shettima’s reference to Jonathan, he explained, was historical and unrelated to recent political events.

The Vice President recounted an incident from over ten years ago when Jonathan’s government considered removing him as Borno governor during the Boko Haram crisis. He shared that memory to praise Adoke’s professionalism, not to criticize Tinubu.

Link to Rivers Crisis Rejected

Nkwocha stated that some reports wrongly linked Shettima’s remarks to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent suspension in Rivers State. He clarified that President Tinubu did not remove Fubara. Instead, the federal government applied a constitutional suspension due to a severe political crisis in the state.

The National Assembly supported Tinubu’s emergency measure. Nkwocha cited Section 305(3)(c) of the Constitution, which allows such actions when public safety is at risk.

Shettima Still Fully Loyal to Tinubu

The Presidency emphasized that Shettima fully supports Tinubu and remains committed to defending Nigeria’s democracy. His comments, it stressed, were not critical of the President in any way. Nkwocha called any attempt to suggest otherwise a deliberate fabrication.

Media Urged to Report Responsibly

The Presidency also urged journalists and political actors to stop misrepresenting facts. It advised them to avoid sensational headlines that distort official statements and confuse the public.

Shettima, the statement concluded, remains in full agreement with Tinubu’s actions. Both leaders continue to work together to protect Nigeria’s democracy and restore political stability where needed.

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