ABUJA, NIGERIA — Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that political detractors falsely accused him of plotting to assassinate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seize the presidency.
The Vice President made the disclosure on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, highlighting the severe undercurrents of political mischief and blackmail within the nation’s political landscape.
The Allegation
Speaking on the nature of trust and loyalty in high-stakes politics, Shettima explained that certain individuals deliberately carried malicious rumors to the President. These actors alleged that the Vice President harbored treacherous intentions and was actively seeking to eliminate his principal to constitutionally step into the presidential role.
Shettima dismissed the claims as a desperate attempt by political jobbers to create a rift between himself and President Tinubu. He emphasized that despite the gravity of the false reports, the bond and mutual trust between the presidency’s top two figures remain completely intact.
Context of Political Friction
The revelation comes amidst ongoing political realignments and underground tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Commentators note that such extreme blackmail is often deployed by interests looking to destabilize the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from within by engineering institutional suspicion between the South and North leadership blocs.
Shettima reiterated his absolute loyalty to the administration’s agenda, warning that the presidency remains highly vigilant against divisive elements using propaganda to distract from governance.
