Shettima hints at disagreement with Tinubu over State of Emergency in Rivers

Nigeria’s vice-president, Kashim Shettima, has hinted that he did not agree with President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers.

Tinubu declared the state of emergency on March 18, 2025.

The president claimed he was “greatly disturbed about the political crisis” in the state and accused Governor Siminilayi Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly building.

Tinubu also suspended Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months, alongside all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State.

Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) was then appointed as Sole Administrator.

But on Thursday, Shettima revealed he was almost removed as Borno state governor under the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Shettima was speaking at the public presentation of a memoir by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre.

According to him, the then House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, told Jonathan that “Your Excellency, you don’t have the power to remove even a councillor of a local government”.

Jonathan insisted on Shettima’s removal and raised the topic at the Federal Executive Council, FEC.

Shettima added: “I admire Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke fundamentally for his courage, his conviction, and his capacity to stand for what he believes in.

“He told the then President, ‘Mr President, you do not have the power to remove the Governor’.”

Shettima’s comments will no doubt add to speculations over how his relationship with Tinubu has deteriorated in recent weeks.

Tinubu is rumoured to be considering dropping Shettima as his running mate when he stands for re-election in 2027.