The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has backed Vice President Kashim Shettima’s bold claim that President Bola Tinubu has no constitutional power to remove an elected governor, calling it “nothing but the truth.”
In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, the party warned that the illegal takeover of Rivers State must end immediately, stressing that Nigeria is not a monarchy where the President can do as he pleases.
“The truth does not respect political correctness,” the party declared, adding that Shettima’s statement is firmly rooted in the Nigerian Constitution.
ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said attempts by the presidency to walk back the Vice President’s comment are just efforts to please political interests. He insisted that Nigerians must not forget what happened in the past.
“Shettima simply reminded us of his own experience under former President Goodluck Jonathan,” the ADC spokesperson said. “When plans were made to remove him as Borno State Governor, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and then Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke told Jonathan plainly that a president has no such power—not even to remove a local government councillor.”
According to the ADC, that same constitutional truth applies to the ongoing drama in Rivers State. “What was wrong and unconstitutional under Jonathan is still wrong and unconstitutional under Tinubu,” Abdullahi said.
The party accused President Tinubu of ignoring the rule of law by supporting what it described as “an executive overreach” in Rivers State. “Suspending an elected governor is not just illegal, it is dangerous. It threatens democracy and the principle of federalism,” the statement read.
The ADC said even during the height of Boko Haram’s terror in the North East, Jonathan respected the law and never tried to remove any governor. “What is happening in Rivers State is not even close to the crisis level in Borno back then,” Abdullahi stated.
The party concluded by urging Nigerians to defend democracy and reject any form of political manipulation.
“President Tinubu must understand that he is not above the constitution. Nigeria is not a monarchy. This is a democracy where laws—not personal interests—must rule,” the party warned.
