The Labour Party has expressed cautious admiration for Vice President Kashim Shettima over his recent remarks that appeared to indirectly criticise President Bola Tinubu’s controversial suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Mr Shettima, while speaking at a public event on Thursday, recounted how former President Goodluck Jonathan had once tried to remove him as Borno State Governor—a subtle yet pointed analogy, which suggested that President Tinubu had similarly overstepped his constitutional bounds in suspending Governor Fubara.
In a statement released on Saturday by its acting national chairman, Nenadi Usman, the opposition Labour Party hailed Shettima for what it called a “rare moment of honesty” and an uncommon display of courage in today’s political climate.
“We commend Vice President Shettima for his rare moment of honesty in drawing attention to what was clearly an unconstitutional act—the illegal removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara earlier in March under the pretext of political chaos and breakdown of law and order by President Bola Tinubu,” the statement read.
However, the party expressed concern over the swift backlash the Vice President faced following his remarks. The Presidency quickly issued a statement on Friday, attempting to dissociate Mr Shettima’s comments from the ongoing political conflict in Rivers State. This move, according to the LP, amounted to a clumsy attempt to whitewash what was an obvious critique of the President’s actions.
“What is deeply troubling,” the party noted, “is the speed and intensity with which the vice president has been compelled to walk back his words. The question must be asked: Who is intimidating the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”
The Labour Party argued that the very notion of trying to muzzle a sitting vice president—who enjoys constitutional protections, including immunity from prosecution—reflects poorly on Nigeria’s already declining human rights record. It further faulted the Tinubu administration for allegedly violating Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which lays out the legal grounds for declaring a state of emergency but does not empower a president to suspend an elected governor at will.
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“If someone of Shettima’s stature cannot express a simple historical comparison without being forced to issue clarifications, it is a damning reflection of the state of civil liberties under this government,” the party added.
The LP went further to call on the Presidency to desist from undermining the office of the Vice President and to respect the democratic principles enshrined in the constitution.
“We reiterate our appreciation to Vice President Shettima for speaking truth to power, even if momentarily. But we strongly urge those pulling strings behind the scenes to cease and desist from undermining the dignity of the office of the Vice President. It is not only disrespectful to the man but also to the institution he represents and the Constitution he swore to uphold.”
Despite its praise, Why is the Vice President only now acknowledging the illegality of Governor Fubara’s suspension, months after it occurred? Why did he remain silent when President Tinubu first took the unconstitutional step? And why did he say nothing even during the so-called peace resolution, which critics widely condemned as one-sided?
While Shettima’s belated candour is welcome, the silence during critical moments speaks volumes. For many Nigerians, his voice—now louder in hindsight—may simply be too late.
