Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has revealed how certain individuals allegedly attempted to damage the relationship between him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly after their inauguration into office.
Speaking during a public engagement to launch the autobiography of Former Head of State, Rtrd General Yakubu Gowon, Vice President Shettima disclosed that barely three months after they were sworn into office, some persons reportedly approached President Tinubu with claims that he was plotting to eliminate the President and take over power.
According to the Vice President, the allegation centered around traditional attires he had gifted Tinubu during the 2023 electioneering period. He explained that the individuals allegedly warned the President against wearing the outfits, claiming they were spiritually dangerous and part of a supposed sinister agenda.
Recounting the incident, Shettima said President Tinubu personally confronted him over the claims and narrated how the allegations were presented before him.
The Vice President quoted Tinubu as saying: “Sit down! Your people came to me and said I should stop wearing those Shettima clothes.”
However, Shettima noted that the President immediately dismissed the accusations after carefully examining the circumstances surrounding the gift items.
According to him, Tinubu reasoned that the allegation lacked logic because the clothes were given to him at a time when both men were still aspirants and uncertain of emerging as the APC presidential ticket.
“Shettima said the President told him the story did not add up because at the time the clothes were given, neither of them knew they would eventually emerge as President and Vice President candidates of the party,” he stated.
The Vice President further disclosed that despite the alleged warnings and attempts to sow distrust, Tinubu continued wearing the outfits, describing the President as a leader who does not believe in fetish narratives or political manipulation.
The revelation has since generated reactions in political circles, with many observers interpreting the disclosure as a sign of the strong bond and mutual trust existing between the President and his deputy despite alleged political intrigues from certain quarters.
