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Ex-presidents

Vice President Shettima Reveals How Tambuwal, Adoke Saved Him from Removal from Office by Former President Jonathan

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Vice President Kashim Shettima spoke at the public presentation of Mohammed Adoke's book, 'OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block,' on Thursday. Shettima revealed how former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and former Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke saved him from being removed from office as Governor of Borno State at the instance of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Shettima noted that the two men guided Jonathan against such decisions, telling him that he did not have the powers to remove an elected Councillor from office as President.

Key Takeaways:

  • VP Kashim Shettima revealed that former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and former Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke saved him from being removed from office as Governor of Borno State by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
  • Former President Jonathan invited Tambuwal and Adoke for counsel on the appropriateness of removing Shettima from office, and they advised against it, citing lack of presidential power to do so.
  • Shettima called for transparency and accountability in Nigeria's public service, urging former and current public officials to document their life and stewardship while in service.
  • The book 'OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block' serves as an access card to the next phase of hearings in the court of public opinion, according to Shettima.
  • The culture of secrecy in Nigeria's public institutions must be broken, and public servants must summon the courage to document their journeys, Shettima emphasized.
  • Adoke's personal reflections in the book are courageous, and his claim of being 'bloodied but unbowed' will resonate with anyone who has walked the corridors of power in Nigeria.
  • The culture of accounting for their place in history is a duty that binds public officials to one another and to the generations yet unborn, Shettima added.
  • President Jonathan praised Adoke's wisdom, courage, and doggedness in the face of intimidation and blackmail, describing the public presentation of the book as a celebration of victory over deliberate persecution.
  • Jonathan also warned politicians against recklessness and abuse of office, urging all public office holders to commit to the virtues of justice, fairness, and service to humanity.
  • Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State commended Adoke's commitment and hard work in chronicling his account of stewardship as Attorney General of the Federation.

Statistics:

  • $1.3 billion: the amount of money involved in the Nigerian Oil Bloc transaction.
  • 300 pages: the length of Adoke's book 'OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block'.
  • 2006: the year in which the agreement for the OPL 245 transaction was signed.
  • 2015: the year in which President Jonathan's administration ended, and the succeeding government launched a manhunt against key officers of his administration.

Sources:

  • Mohammed Adoke's book 'OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block'.
  • Statement of VP Kashim Shettima at the public presentation of Adoke's book.
  • Statement of former President Goodluck Jonathan at the public presentation of Adoke's book.
  • Statement of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State at the public presentation of Adoke's book.
  • Interview of Mohammed Adoke with Reuben Abati at the public presentation of Adoke's book.

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