July 10, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, stated that if not for the intervention of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and Mohammed Adoke, former attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, he would have been sacked as governor of Borno State by former President, Goodluck Jonathan, describing himself as the most demonised person in the last four years of the Jonathan administration.
Shettima, who was the governor of Borno State between 2011 and 2015, spoke while recounting his ordeal under the administration of the former President Jonathan at the public presentation of a book titled “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 billion Nigeria Oil Block”, authored by Adoke.
THEWILL reports that the relationship between Jonathan and Shettima became sour over the insecurity in Borno State, especially, the kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls from the Chibok area of the state by Boko Haram in April 2014.
Speaking on Thursday, Shettima claimed that in the last four years of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, which was when the Chibok girls were abducted, he was the most demonised person in the country.
“I was the public enemy number one. There are two gentlemen seated here. Certain decisions are taken in a very rarefied circle. The President, the Vice President, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“In one of such conclaves, former President Goodluck Jonathan, with whom we have sheath the sword and have now recalibrated our relationship, was mooting the idea of removing this Borno governor.
“Aminu Tambuwal, the then Speaker of the House of Representatives had the courage to tell the President that your Excellency, you don’t have the powers to remove an elected councillor. The President was still not convinced, he mooted the idea at the Federal Executive Council”, the Vice President said.
Shettima expressed his admiration to Adoke for his courage, conviction and capacity to stand for what he believes in.
“He (Mr Adoke) told the then President that Mr President you do not have the powers to remove a sitting governor not even a councillor. They sought for the opinion of another SAN in the cabinet, Kabiru Turaki, who said I’m concurring with the opinion of my senior colleague. That was how the matter was laid to rest, but that was how my relationship with Mr Adoke and Aminu Tambuwal became eternally sealed”, he said.
Shettima also commended Adoke for the courage to forgive all those who had offended him in the course of his public duty.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
