Labour Party Faults Vice-President Shettima Over "Compelled" Retraction on President Tinubu's Powers

Strategic Insights -

The Labour Party has accused Vice-President Kashim Shettima of being "forced" to retract his statement on the powers of a President to remove a duly elected state governor after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. The party claimed that Shettima's clarification was a result of pressure from unknown forces, which raises concerns about the human rights climate under the current administration.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Labour Party claims that Vice-President Shettima's retraction was a result of pressure from unknown forces, which raises concerns about the human rights climate under the current administration.
  • The party argues that Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution has not changed since 2013 and does not confer any power on the President to remove a sitting governor under any guise, including the declaration of emergency rule.
  • Vice-President Shettima had initially spoken out against President Tinubu's actions, stating that Jonathan lacked the powers to remove a governor or councillor from office in a similar situation in 2013.
  • The Labour Party commends Vice-President Shettima for his moment of honesty but urges those pulling strings behind the scenes to cease their efforts to undermine the dignity of the office of the Vice-President.
  • The party argues that Shettima's retraction was a disingenuous attempt to distance his remarks from the current situation in Rivers State.
  • The Vice-President's office clarified that Shettima's comments were made in a different context and with different actors, but the Labour Party claims that this was an attempt to justify Tinubu's actions.

Statistics:

  • The Labour Party claims that Nigeria continues to plunge to the bottom of human rights rankings across Africa.
  • Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) has not changed since 2013 and does not grant the President the power to remove a sitting governor.

Sources:

  • "Labour Party Faults Vice-President Shettima Over 'Compelled' Retraction on President Tinubu's Powers" (The News Magazine, Saturday, [no date provided])