ADC Slams Presidency Over Shettima Comment Clarification

ADC Slams Presidency Over Shettima Comment Clarification.
Party defends Shettima’s constitutional stance on presidential limits.
ADC warns against repeating 2014 constitutional crisis under Jonathan.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised the Presidency’s attempt to clarify Vice President Kashim Shettima’s remarks on presidential powers, calling it “a mere attempt at political correctness.”

In a statement issued Friday, the party accused President Bola Tinubu of overstepping constitutional limits and eroding democratic norms, particularly in relation to the political turmoil in Rivers State.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Shettima’s comments on the limitations of presidential powers were constitutionally accurate and should not be diluted by spin from Aso Rock.

“The truth must not be lost in the fog of political correctness. The Vice President must stand by his forthright and courageous statement affirming that the President has no constitutional authority to remove an elected councillor, let alone a sitting governor,” Abdullahi stated.

The ADC condemned what it described as the unconstitutional suspension of the Rivers State Governor, warning that it poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic framework.

“The same constitutional principle that made it wrong for President Jonathan to remove the Borno State Governor in 2014 also makes it wrong and unconstitutional for President Tinubu to attempt such in Rivers State,” the party said.

The ADC drew parallels with the 2014 crisis in Borno when then-Governor Shettima faced security challenges. Despite the pressure, the Jonathan-led administration respected constitutional provisions, with then-Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and Attorney General Mohammed Adoke standing against any illegal removal of a governor.

“This is not just history. It is precedent,” the party stressed.

The ADC urged President Tinubu to uphold democratic order and constitutional discipline in Rivers State, warning that any further breaches would only deepen the crisis and weaken Nigeria’s democratic institutions.