Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has hinted at disapproval over President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, suggesting the move oversteps constitutional boundaries.
Tinubu made the controversial declaration on 18 March 2025, citing deep concern over the escalating political crisis in the state. He accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of unlawfully demolishing the State House of Assembly and went on to suspend the governor, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state’s House of Assembly for six months. A sole administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, was appointed to take charge.
However, Shettima’s comments on Thursday at the launch of former Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke’s memoir in Abuja have sparked fresh political debate. Speaking at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, the Vice-President recalled how former President Goodluck Jonathan had tried to remove him as Borno State governor, a move blocked by legal advice from Adoke and resistance from then Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal.
Quoting Tambuwal, Shettima said: “Your Excellency, you don’t have the power to remove even a councillor of a local government.” He added that Adoke stood firm against the pressure, telling Jonathan: “Mr President, you do not have the power to remove the Governor.”
The statement is widely seen as a subtle rebuke of Tinubu’s recent actions in Rivers and possibly a signal of growing cracks in the presidency.
Political analysts say the timing of Shettima’s remarks is no coincidence. Rumours continue to swirl that President Tinubu may drop Shettima as his running mate ahead of the 2027 election, amid reports of internal tensions.
As the political temperature rises, Shettima’s bold remarks may deepen the divide within the ruling party and spark wider debate over executive power and constitutional limits.
