By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Kashim Shettima, Simi Fubara and Bola Tinubu |
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s unprecedented removal of Rivers State Governor Simi Fubara, declaring that Nigeria’s constitution grants no such power to the presidency.
Shettima’s remarks came during a book launch in Abuja, where he referenced his own experience as a former governor to condemn executive overreach. His statement marks the first time he has publicly addressed the controversial ousting of Fubara, which sparked nationwide outrage.
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu unilaterally sacked Governor Fubara, a member of the opposition party. The National Assembly later approved the decision amid allegations of bribery. Since then, a retired military general has been acting as governor, raising concerns about democratic backsliding.
Drawing from history, Shettima recalled how former President Goodluck Jonathan attempted a similar move in 2013, targeting governors in Nigeria’s northeast over security concerns.
"Jonathan wanted to remove me as Borno governor, but then-Speaker Aminu Tambuwal stood firm, saying, ‘You can’t even sack a councillor,’" Shettima revealed. He praised ex-Attorney General Bello Adoke for blocking Jonathan’s plan, emphasizing that only impeachment or court rulings can legally remove a governor.
Though Shettima avoided directly naming Fubara, his speech strongly condemned presidential interference in state governance. His comments signal growing tension within the ruling party, especially after Tinubu’s allies recently endorsed him for 2027 without immediately backing Shettima as his deputy.