The Presidency has cleared the air over remarks made by Vice President Kashim Shettima at a recent book launch, saying they were not in any way connected to the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Shettima had, while speaking at the presentation of a book authored by former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, reflected on how the Jonathan administration once contemplated removing him as Borno State Governor at the peak of insurgency. The Vice President’s comments, however, sparked controversy, with some linking them to the suspension of Governor Fubara by President Bola Tinubu.
But in a statement issued on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, the presidency insisted that Shettima’s remarks were clearly historical references meant to recognise Adoke’s conduct during his time in office and had nothing to do with Rivers State’s situation.
The statement explained that President Tinubu did not remove Governor Fubara but only suspended him following a serious political crisis that threatened peace and governance in the state.
It noted that the action was taken in line with constitutional provisions and in consultation with the National Assembly, which ratified the emergency proclamation to preserve order. It further said that those drawing a connection between Shettima’s comments and the Rivers crisis were misinterpreting the Vice President’s intentions.
“For the avoidance of doubt, President Tinubu did not remove Governor Fubara from office. The constitutional measure implemented was a suspension, not an outright removal,” Nkwocha clarified.
He noted that the Vice President’s statement at the book launch was simply aimed at highlighting how constitutional disputes have been handled historically and was not a commentary on current affairs.
Nkwocha stressed that the government remains united behind President Tinubu’s decisions, describing the Rivers intervention as necessary to protect democracy and public order.
He called on media organisations and political players to avoid twisting public remarks for mischief, urging them to report issues responsibly and within context.
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