Nigeria's Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has subtly indicated that he did not support President Bola Tinubu's decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, revealing potential cracks in the presidency's united front.

President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers on March 18, 2025, citing political crisis in the state. The declaration led to the suspension of Governor Siminilayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months, alongside all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) was subsequently appointed as Sole Administrator.

Speaking at the public presentation of a memoir by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, on Thursday, Shettima recounted his own experience of nearly being removed as Borno State governor during former President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.

Shettima revealed that when Jonathan sought to remove him as governor, then House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal had told the former president, "Your Excellency, you don't have the power to remove even a councillor of a local government."

The Vice President particularly praised Adoke for his principled stance during that period, stating: "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.'"

Political analysts view Shettima's comments as a thinly veiled criticism of President Tinubu's handling of the Rivers State crisis, especially considering the constitutional questions surrounding the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of democratically elected officials.

The timing of these remarks has fueled existing speculations about deteriorating relations between Tinubu and Shettima. Reports have emerged suggesting that President Tinubu might be considering replacing Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

This development comes amid ongoing tensions in Rivers State, where Governor Fubara was accused by the presidency of demolishing the State House of Assembly building, an allegation that formed part of the justification for the state of emergency.

The Vice President's comments have added a new dimension to Nigeria's complex political landscape, raising questions about executive unity and constitutional boundaries in handling state-level political crises.

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