Vice-President Kashim Shettima has expressed strong reservations over the removal of elected governors through unconstitutional means, warning that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democracy and violate the rule of law.
He made the remarks on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre in Abuja during the public presentation of “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3BN Nigerian Oil Block”, a book authored by former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke.
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While recounting events from his time as governor of Borno State, Shettima said that former President Goodluck Jonathan had once considered removing him from office. He noted that it was the intervention of prominent figures that prevented the move. “Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was considering removing this Borno governor,” he said, pointing at himself. “But Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was then Speaker of the House of Representatives, boldly told him, ‘You don’t have the power to remove an elected councillor.’”
Shettima added that legal advice from Mohammed Bello Adoke and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kabiru Turaki, also dissuaded Jonathan from going ahead with the plan.
His comments come against the backdrop of the recent political crisis in Rivers State. In March 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire State House of Assembly for six months. The suspension followed a prolonged power tussle between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, which had led to a breakdown of governance and increased security concerns, including pipeline vandalism. Tinubu subsequently appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Sole Administrator.
Although Shettima did not directly refer to the Rivers crisis or Tinubu’s actions, political observers view his statement as a veiled criticism of federal overreach and a reminder of the constitutional limits of executive power.
The remarks may also add fuel to ongoing speculation about tensions between Shettima and President Tinubu.
The event, which focused on themes of justice and accountability, drew several high-profile attendees, including former Kano Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, among others.
