Presidency Refutes Alleged Rift Between Tinubu and Shettima as Baseless Propaganda
By Wisdom Tide
September 2, 2024
The Presidency has categorically denied recent reports suggesting a rift between President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, dismissing them as unfounded rumors and malicious propaganda aimed at sowing discord within the administration. This clarification was made public on Sunday through a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, the spokesperson for Vice President Shettima, as the vice president celebrates his 58th birthday.
The statement emphasized that the reports of a supposed conflict between the President and Vice President are not only false but are part of a calculated effort to undermine the strong and productive relationship between the two leaders. According to Nkwocha, these claims are nothing more than a smear campaign intended to damage the credibility of the administration and mislead the public.
"In the history of Nigeria’s presidency, no Vice President has enjoyed the total confidence and full support of his principal like Shettima. In return, his loyalty to his boss, President Tinubu, as attested by well-meaning Nigerians who have been keeping tabs on the goings-on in the presidency, is absolute and unalloyed," Nkwocha stated.
He further elaborated on the unique and harmonious relationship between the President and Vice President, describing it as a model of political collaboration. "In a political landscape where loyalty is often tested, Vice President Shettima stands out as a beacon of dedication and commitment to his principal, President Tinubu. His unwavering support and teamwork demonstrate a refreshing shift towards harmonious collaboration, setting a positive tone for their administration."
The statement comes in the wake of widespread speculation and reports suggesting tension between the two leaders, which some have interpreted as a sign of deeper issues within the administration. However, the Presidency has firmly rejected these interpretations, reaffirming the strong partnership between Tinubu and Shettima, which it described as essential to achieving the administration's goals for Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Jesutega Onokpasa, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a staunch supporter of President Tinubu, has called on the President to intervene in what he describes as the unjust persecution of former governors Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Onokpasa urged President Tinubu to restrain those within his circle who, he claims, are targeting the former governors through the use of anti-corruption agencies for their own selfish gains.
Onokpasa expressed concern that the continued harassment of these former governors could deter others from supporting the President in the future. In a video message that has since gone viral, Onokpasa criticized what he perceives as the unfair treatment of el-Rufai and Bello, warning that such actions could reinforce the negative perception that the APC is a party that discards its loyalists after using them to achieve its objectives.
Addressing President Tinubu directly, Onokpasa implored him to forgive the former governors if they have committed any offenses, emphasizing their significant contributions to his electoral victory. "These [Bello and el-Rufai] are our people, our dear northern compatriots that we relied on to come to power. We know where we won, we know where we lost, we know where our votes came from. This whole thing mystifies me, but nobody can give me any concrete information as to what Yahaya’s crime is, what is el-Rufai’s malfeasance to the extent that he would..."
Onokpasa also questioned the validity of the security report that allegedly disqualified el-Rufai from being appointed as a minister. He pointed out the inconsistency in using this report to block el-Rufai's ministerial appointment when it did not prevent him from serving two terms as the governor of Kaduna State.
"The security report that didn’t disqualify him from being a minister, the one that didn’t disqualify him from being a two-term governor of Kaduna. So, suddenly, the same security report disqualified him from being a minister in this administration. Nobody takes these things seriously," Onokpasa remarked.
He further criticized the so-called witch-hunt against the former governors, revealing that some individuals have even boasted about giving Bello the same treatment as Godwin Emefiele, the former Central Bank Governor who faced legal battles and political controversies. Onokpasa highlighted Bello's legal action against Emefiele, which he argued was taken in the interest of President Tinubu and the country as a whole.
Onokpasa concluded by stressing that he is not seeking any personal favors from the administration, but is instead advocating for fairness and justice for the former governors who played a crucial role in Tinubu's rise to power.
As the Tinubu administration continues to navigate the challenges of governance, the Presidency's strong denial of any internal rift between the President and Vice President, coupled with calls for fair treatment of political allies, reflects the ongoing complexities of Nigeria's political landscape. The administration’s response to these issues will likely influence public perception and the stability of its leadership moving forward
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