Shettima Distances Self from Fubara’s Removal, Warns Tinubu Against Presidential Overreach

Shettima has distanced himself from Fubara’s removal and warned Tinubu against presidential overreach.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Thursday subtly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s controversial removal of Rivers State Governor Simi Fubara, warning against unconstitutional interference in state governance.

Governor Fubara, a member of the opposition party, was removed from office on March 18, 2025, a move which was later ratified by the National Assembly amid allegations of bribery. A retired military general has since been acting as governor in his place.

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Speaking at a book launch in Abuja for former Attorney-General Bello Adoke, Shettima fell short of mentioning Fubara by name but made pointed remarks rejecting presidential authority to unilaterally sack elected state officials.

Drawing on his experience as a former Borno State governor, Shettima recalled how former President Goodluck Jonathan once contemplated removing him from office during the height of insecurity in the North-East.

“Former President Jonathan was floating the idea of removing this Borno governor,” Shettima said, gesturing to himself. “Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, then Speaker of the House of Representatives, told him: You don’t have the power to remove an elected councillor.”

He praised Adoke’s legal stance at the time, noting that as attorney-general, Adoke advised the president against the unconstitutional move. “Mr Mohammed Adoke told the president: You do not have the power to remove a sitting governor,” Shettima said. “Another senior cabinet member, Kabiru Turaki, also agreed, and the issue was dropped.”

Though Shettima avoided direct reference to Tinubu or the current Rivers State crisis, the message of his speech was clear, a cautionary rebuke of presidential interference in democratically elected state leadership.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the vice-president’s remarks come amid growing tensions within the ruling party. Last month, a meeting at the State House reportedly ended in disarray after party leaders loyal to President Tinubu endorsed him for a second term in 2027 without naming Shettima as his running mate, sparking speculations of a rift.

A presidential spokesperson declined to comment on Shettima’s latest remarks.