Vice President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that he narrowly escaped being removed as Governor of Borno State by former President Goodluck Jonathan, thanks to the intervention of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and former Attorney General, Mohammed Adoke.
Shettima, who served as Governor of Borno State from 2011 to 2015, made the revelation at the public presentation of Adoke’s book, “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 billion Nigeria Oil Block.” The book explores the Malabu oil deal scandal, a contentious issue that has raised questions about transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil industry.
According to Shettima, his relationship with Jonathan soured due to the insecurity situation in Borno State, particularly the kidnapping of nearly 300 schoolgirls from Chibok by Boko Haram in April 2014. Shettima frequently accused Jonathan of failing to tackle the insecurity challenge, while some of the President’s aides accused the Governor of complicity.
Shettima revealed that during the last four years of Jonathan’s administration, he was the most demonized person in the country. “I was the public enemy number one,” he said. He disclosed that Jonathan considered removing him as Governor in a meeting attended by the President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
However, Tambuwal and Adoke opposed the idea, citing the lack of constitutional grounds for such an action. Shettima quoted Adoke as telling Jonathan, “Mr. President, you do not have the powers to remove a sitting governor, not even a councillor.” Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in the cabinet, Kabiru Turaki, concurred with Adoke’s opinion, effectively laying the matter to rest.
Shettima commended Adoke for his courage and conviction, saying, “He told the then President that Mr. President, you do not have the powers to remove a sitting governor not even a councillor.” He also praised Adoke for forgiving those who offended him during his public duty.
The Vice President’s revelation highlights the tense relationship between him and Jonathan during the latter’s administration. It also underscores the importance of checks and balances in Nigeria’s democratic system, particularly in the exercise of executive powers.
The book presentation, which featured Shettima’s revelation, provides valuable insights into the complexities of Nigeria’s oil industry and the challenges of governance. The Malabu oil deal scandal has been a subject of controversy, with allegations of corruption and lack of transparency.
In his book, Adoke provides a detailed account of the events surrounding the deal, shedding light on the intricacies of Nigeria’s oil politics. The book’s 26 chapters offer a comprehensive analysis of the $1.3 billion deal, which involved the acquisition of Nigeria’s deep-water oil licence by Royal Dutch Shell and Italy’s Eni.
The oil block, believed to hold nine billion barrels of crude, has been a prized asset in Nigeria’s oil industry. The controversy surrounding the deal has raised questions about the management of Nigeria’s natural resources and the need for greater transparency and accountability.
Shettima’s revelation and Adoke’s book offer valuable perspectives on the challenges of governance and the importance of accountability in Nigeria’s oil industry. As the country continues to grapple with the complexities of oil politics, such insights are crucial for informing policy decisions and promoting transparency.
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