Rivers crisis: Presidency Clarifies VP Shettima’s Comments at Abuja Book Launch

The Presidency has clarified that Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent remarks at a book launch in Abuja were not related to the ongoing situation in Rivers State.

In a statement released on Friday, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), dismissed the claims as a “gross misrepresentation” and a “reckless endangerment of national cohesion.”

Nkwocha said Shettima’s comments were historical references to events during the Jonathan administration and did not amount to commentary on current political events.

“Vice President Shettima’s comments were made within the specific context of acknowledging the author’s past professional conduct during his tenure as Attorney General of the Federation.”

The statement noted that Shettima’s remarks were not a veiled criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Nkwocha noted that the President’s actions were constitutional and done in response to security threats and political instability in the state.

“President Tinubu followed the constitutional process with honest precision.”

The Presidency defended the legality of Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers State, citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.

Nkwocha stated that the President’s proclamation was ratified by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the National Assembly.

The Presidency urged the media and political actors to avoid politicizing Shettima’s speech or fabricating conflict within the administration.

“Vice President Shettima stands shoulder to shoulder with President Tinubu in implementing these difficult but indispensable actions to safeguard our democracy.”