Presidency defends Shettima, blasts Datti Baba-Ahmed over ‘baseless’ attacks

By Kunle Sanni –

The Presidency says Vice President Kashim Shettima is a “loyal and dependable ally” of President Bola Tinubu.

The comment follows critical remarks made by Labour Party’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, against Vice President Shettima.

In a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the Presidency dismissed Baba-Ahmed’s recent comments on Arise Television as “baseless and obsessive,” warning that continued unprovoked attacks on the Vice President would no longer go unanswered.

Baba-Ahmed had criticized Shettima’s continued presence in office, suggesting without evidence that the President should remove him. In response, the Presidency reaffirmed the President’s unwavering confidence in his deputy and Shettima’s contributions to the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“All President Tinubu sees in him is a loyal and dependable ally, administrative and political asset, intellectual powerhouse, experienced private and public servant, a trojan horse, a reliable confidante, as well as a trustworthy and truly molded cosmopolitan Nigerian,” the statement read.

The Presidency emphasized Shettima’s longstanding public service record, from academia to banking, and through various roles in Borno State—including Commissioner, Governor, and Senator—culminating in his current position as Vice President. It noted that unlike his critics, Shettima has never lost an election and has maintained a spotless democratic record.

It also accused Baba-Ahmed of hypocrisy and political desperation, referencing his past removal from the Senate after a court overturned his 2011 election victory due to proven electoral irregularities. Nkwocha added that “talk is cheap,” and Shettima remains focused on governance, economic transformation, and national development.

The Presidency reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration is united and committed to national progress, describing Shettima as a key driver of its success both at home and abroad, while characterizing the opposition’s attacks as distractions rooted in envy.