Shettima Breaks Silence: ‘I Was Public Enemy No. 1 Under Jonathan’

On Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima reflected on what he described as a turbulent political chapter during the final years of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Shettima made this revelation at the public unveiling of a book titled “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigeria Oil Block,” written by former Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke.

Shettima, who served as the Governor of Borno State during the Jonathan era, described himself as one of the most vilified public figures at the time.

“For the last four years of Jonathan’s presidency, I was arguably the most demonized individual in the Nigerian political landscape.

“I was seen as public enemy number one,” he recounted.

The Vice President shed light on internal deliberations held among top political figures.

These included then-President Jonathan, the Vice President, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In one such high-level meeting, Shettima revealed that Jonathan allegedly floated the idea of removing him as governor of Borno State.

“In that small and influential circle, President Jonathan, who I must say I have since reconciled with, proposed my removal as governor,” Shettima said.

He explained that it was Aminu Tambuwal, then the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who stood his ground and boldly reminded the President of the limits of his constitutional authority.

“Tambuwal told the President candidly, ‘Your Excellency, you do not possess the legal powers to remove an elected councillor, let alone a sitting governor,’” Shettima stated.

He added that despite the pushback, President Jonathan raised the issue once more at a Federal Executive Council meeting.

Shettima praised Mohammed Adoke for his principled stance during that period.

According to the Vice President, Adoke, who was then the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, unequivocally told the President that he lacked the constitutional authority to remove a democratically elected governor.

“Adoke stood firm and told President Jonathan clearly that he could not legally remove a sitting governor.

His legal opinion was later supported by another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kabiru Turaki, who agreed with Adoke’s position,” Shettima narrated.

This episode, according to Shettima, laid the foundation for a long-standing bond between himself, Adoke, and Tambuwal, one forged not just by politics but by a shared commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law.

Shettima also commended Adoke not only for his courage and legal insight but for his capacity to forgive those who may have wronged him during his tenure in public office.

“It takes strength and maturity to let go of the past.

I admire Adoke’s ability to forgive and move forward despite all he endured,” Shettima said.

The event also served to spotlight the book “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigeria Oil Block,” which delves into the controversial Malabu oil deal.

The book offers a detailed account of the 2011 transaction where Royal Dutch Shell and Italy’s Eni paid $1.3 billion to acquire Nigeria’s OPL 245 deep-water oil block.

The oil block, which has been the subject of international legal scrutiny and controversy, is believed to hold up to nine billion barrels of crude oil.

The book’s author, Mohammed Adoke, was Nigeria’s Minister of Justice during the transaction and played a central role in the legal frameworks surrounding the deal.

His narrative offers an insider’s perspective on one of the most complex and debated oil transactions in Nigeria’s history.

The public presentation of the book brought together key political figures, legal experts, and stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

It served not just as a platform for launching an important legal and historical account, but also as an occasion for reflection on governance, justice, and leadership in Nigeria.

In all, Shettima’s candid account of the political tensions during the Jonathan years, paired with his praise for Adoke’s integrity, provided a unique insight into the challenges and resilience of Nigerian leaders navigating high-stakes political terrain.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook