Vice President Kashim Shettima has refuted online claims that his recent public comments were a subtle critique of President Bola Tinubu's handling of the Rivers State political crisis. He labeled these interpretations as intentional misrepresentations designed to cause disunity within the administration.
In a statement released by his office on Friday, July 11, 2025, the Vice President expressed concern over the distortion of remarks he made on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Abuja public presentation of "OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block," a book by former Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke.
The statement clarified that "Certain individuals and platforms have stripped the Vice President’s remarks of their context to push a false narrative," calling it a "calculated attempt to fabricate a non-existent conflict within the administration."
Shettima's comments at the book launch reflected on his tenure as Governor of Borno State during the Boko Haram insurgency, where he recalled the Goodluck Jonathan administration considering his removal from office.
The statement further explained that President Tinubu's intervention in Rivers State was a constitutional response to political instability, aligning with Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution. It emphasized that the suspension of officials was a legitimate effort to restore order, not a removal from office, stating that "Conflating suspension with removal, or drawing false equivalence with Shettima’s experience under Jonathan, is intellectually dishonest."
Shettima reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to President Tinubu and the administration's dedication to democratic order and constitutional governance. His remarks, the statement noted, were delivered in a reflective manner, highlighting public accountability and the importance of documenting service records, rather than questioning government policy.
The Vice President's Office urged media organizations and political figures to cease spreading misinformation, advocating for responsible reporting and political maturity.
The statement concluded by asserting that the administration would not be sidetracked by "deliberate mischief" and remains focused on delivering good governance and upholding democratic principles.