They Told Tinubu I Wanted To Kill Him – Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that some individuals allegedly attempted to create distrust between him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly after the current administration assumed office by accusing him of plotting to kill the president and take over power.

Shettima disclosed this yesterday at the public presentation of “My Life of Duty and Allegiance”, the autobiography of former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, in Abuja.

According to the Vice President, the alleged plot to sow discord within the presidency emerged barely three months after the administration came into office.

He said some people from his home state of Borno approached President Tinubu, claiming he was planning to eliminate him to assume leadership.

Recounting the incident, Shettima said President Tinubu personally called him and jokingly warned him to stop wearing “Shettima’s clothes” following the allegation.

The Vice President, however, said Tinubu dismissed the claims after identifying inconsistencies in the narrative.

According to him, the president reasoned that the allegation did not align with the political realities that existed before the 2023 election, when both men were still presidential aspirants.

Shettima said Tinubu concluded that if such intentions existed, the political alliance that eventually produced them as president and vice president would not have materialised.

He added that despite repeated attempts by the same individuals to push the allegation after the election, President Tinubu refused to believe the claims.

According to Shettima, the president even continued wearing garments previously gifted to him, rejecting any superstitious interpretation attached to the allegation.

The Vice President used the occasion to call for unity, trust, and national cohesion, warning against divisive politics that could weaken the country.