Presidency Denies News That Shettima Criticised Tinubu Over Fubara Suspension

The presidency has dismissed reports claiming Vice President Kashim Shettima criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The controversy began after Shettima’s remarks during the launch of a book authored by former Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke in Abuja on July 10. Some online platforms interpreted his comments as indirectly questioning Tinubu’s actions in Rivers, drawing a comparison between the current political situation and the time when Shettima himself was almost removed as Governor of Borno State during the insurgency under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Responding to the growing speculation, the Office of the Vice President issued a statement on Friday, insisting that Shettima’s words were taken out of context. The statement, signed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, said the Vice President had only shared historical reflections to highlight Nigeria’s legal and constitutional development—not to comment on ongoing events.

According to the statement, Shettima was speaking about his past experiences as governor to praise Adoke’s conduct in office. It clarified that there was no attempt to draw parallels with the Rivers crisis, which is different both in nature and context from what Borno experienced during the height of Boko Haram insurgency.

The presidency further stated that Governor Fubara was not removed but constitutionally suspended under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution. The action, it said, was taken in response to the deepening political tension in Rivers State, including the partial demolition of the House of Assembly complex and threats of impeachment, which threatened the stability of the state.

The federal government explained that the decision to suspend the governor was backed by a bipartisan majority in the National Assembly. It argued that the move was necessary to prevent further breakdown of governance and restore order.

The presidency also noted that the situation in Rivers was a domestic political crisis requiring constitutional tools to manage, whereas Borno’s past experience involved terrorism and threats to national sovereignty. Comparing both, according to the presidency, would be inaccurate and misrepresent the legal basis of Tinubu’s decision.

The statement ended by urging media houses and commentators to avoid misquoting public officials or twisting their statements to create conflict where none exists. It restated that Shettima’s remarks were rooted in past events and not a veiled criticism of the President.