Vice-President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that some individuals allegedly attempted to create mistrust between him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly after they assumed office in 2023.
Speaking at the launch of “My Life of Duty and Allegiance”, the autobiography of former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, Shettima said the unnamed individuals whom he claimed were from Borno State allegedly told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he (Shettima) was plotting to assassinate him in order to take over power.
According to him, the claims were made about three months after their inauguration, but the President dismissed the allegation after finding inconsistencies in the story.
“Three months into our swearing-in, some people told Tinubu I was planning to kill him to take over power… The President called me and said, ‘Sit down! Your people came to me…’” Shettima recounted.
He added that Tinubu later dismissed the allegations and continued to trust him, even joking about earlier rumours surrounding a traditional outfit he had given the President during the campaign period.
Shettima said the President eventually wore the outfit, adding that Tinubu was not influenced by superstition or divisive narratives.
He used the opportunity to urge Nigerians to reject misinformation and divisive politics, stressing the need for unity and mutual trust as “brother’s keeper” rather than “merchants of division.”
