“There is no constitutional provision that gives the president the power to remove an elected governor.” – VP Shettima
In what appears to be a bold departure from Aso Rock’s inner circle, Vice-President Kashim Shettima has raised eyebrows with comments many interpret as a direct jab at President Bola Tinubu over the controversial removal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Speaking Thursday at the launch of a book authored by former Attorney-General Bello Adoke in Abuja, Shettima subtly—but strongly—challenged the legality of a president removing an elected governor. Drawing from his own experience as governor of Borno State, he recalled how former President Goodluck Jonathan once considered removing him, but was advised against it.
“Former President Jonathan was floating the idea of removing this Borno governor,” Shettima said, referring to himself. “Aminu Tambuwal told him plainly: You don’t have the power to remove an elected councillor.”
He praised Adoke for standing firm against that move back in 2013. The VP added that another legal opinion from then-Minister Kabiru Turaki agreed with Adoke’s position, effectively ending Jonathan’s plan.
Though Shettima didn’t mention Fubara or Tinubu by name, his comments were clearly timed and targeted. Political observers see it as his first public disapproval of the March 18 removal of Governor Fubara—allegedly orchestrated by Tinubu and rubber-stamped by the National Assembly amid bribery claims.
With a retired military general now acting as Rivers governor, and growing murmurs within the ruling party about 2027 ticket tensions, Shettima’s remarks may just be the start of a deeper rift.