The African Democratic Congress has strongly criticized the Presidency’s recent clarification regarding Vice President Kashim Shettima’s comments on presidential powers, dismissing the explanation as nothing more than “political correctness.”
In a statement issued on Friday, the opposition party accused President Bola Tinubu of exceeding constitutional limits and undermining democratic principles in Rivers State. The ADC argued that the Presidency’s response to Shettima’s earlier remarks represented a retreat from constitutional truth in favor of political appeasement.
ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary and Spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, defended Shettima’s original statement about the limitations of presidential powers, describing it as constitutionally accurate and deserving of support rather than being diluted by what he termed “spin from the Villa.”
“The truth must not be lost in the fog of political correctness. The Vice President needs to stand by his forthright and courageous statement, which affirms that the President has no constitutional power to remove an elected councillor, not to talk of a sitting governor,” Abdullahi declared.
The party expressed serious concerns about what it characterized as the unconstitutional suspension of Rivers State Governor, warning that such actions represent a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s democratic foundations. The ADC emphasized that constitutional principles should remain unchanged regardless of the administration in power.
Drawing historical parallels, the party compared the current situation to events during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, specifically referencing the case of Borno State. The ADC noted that despite facing significant security challenges from Boko Haram attacks, Jonathan respected constitutional boundaries and did not attempt to remove elected governors.
“What made the removal of an elected governor wrong and unconstitutional under President Jonathan in the case of Borno State, is the same that makes it wrong and unconstitutional under President Tinubu in the case of Rivers State,” the statement read.
The party also recalled a 2014 precedent involving Shettima himself when he served as Governor of Borno State. At that time, then-Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke firmly maintained that a President lacked the constitutional authority to unilaterally remove a governor.
“This is not just history. It is precedent,” the ADC emphasized, using the example to reinforce their argument about constitutional limitations on presidential power.
The opposition party called on President Tinubu to restore democratic order in Rivers State and cease any actions that violate constitutional provisions.
