The Presidency has vehemently denied allegations that Vice President Kashim Shettima was denied access to the Presidential Villa, dismissing the claims as “totally fabricated” and part of a “deliberate orchestration of falsehood” aimed at sowing discord in the administration.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, the Presidency condemned reports circulating on “obscure blogs” that alleged military personnel blocked Shettima from entering the Villa.
“For the record, nothing of the sort ever happened,” Nkwocha stated, describing the claims as a “feeble attempt to traduce the person and office” of the Vice President.
The statement characterized the allegations as “wild expressions of wishful thinking” by purveyors of misinformation who have “exhausted both ink and imagination.” It emphasized that the Vice President remains fully engaged in his duties, supporting President Bola Tinubu’s agenda, and dismissed the reports as “fairy tales” designed to distract from governance.
“These stories reflect a desperate attempt to undermine the President and his Deputy’s fidelity to the rule of law and our constitution,” the statement read. It further highlighted the “strength of the bond and goodwill” between Tinubu and Shettima, asserting that efforts to create divisions are “futile.”
The rebuttal follows recent speculation about internal discord, including earlier rumours about campaign posters, which the Presidency also dismissed as baseless. Officials pointed to Shettima’s recent public engagements—such as his involvement in mediating the release of #EndBadGovernance protesters and advancing food security legislation—as evidence of his unimpeded role in government.
The administration commended Nigerians for their continued support and urged the media to prioritize credible sources. “We encourage the public to disregard malicious publications and approach sensational claims with caution,” Nkwocha said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to its constitutional mandate.
Fact-checkers and political analysts have corroborated the Presidency’s stance, noting no verifiable evidence of a rift between the leaders. “The Vice President’s visible activities contradict narratives of exclusion,” a governance expert remarked.
The statement concluded with a call for unity, stressing that “no amount of falsehood can shake the foundation” of the administration’s democratic legitimacy.
The statement concluded with a call for unity, stressing that “no amount of falsehood can shake the foundation” of the administration’s democratic legitimacy.
