Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has revealed how some individuals allegedly tried to poison his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu just months after they assumed office.
In a startling disclosure that has triggered fresh political conversations across the country, Shettima claimed that certain persons accused him of plotting to kill the President and take over power.
The Vice-President made the revelation during the public presentation of My Life of Duty and Allegiance, the autobiography of former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, in Abuja.
“They Told Tinubu I Wanted to Kill Him”
According to Shettima, the bizarre allegation surfaced barely three months after the new administration was sworn into office.
He claimed that some individuals from his home state of Borno allegedly approached President Tinubu with claims that he intended to use traditional means to harm him.
The accusation, he said, was connected to clothes he had gifted Tinubu before the 2023 presidential election.
What began as an ordinary political gift suddenly became the center of what Shettima described as an attempt to sow fear and suspicion within the presidency.
Tinubu’s Reaction Surprised Him
Rather than reacting emotionally, Shettima said President Tinubu handled the situation calmly and logically.
Recalling their conversation, the Vice-President explained that Tinubu invited him for a discussion after hearing the allegations.
According to Shettima, the President reportedly questioned the logic behind the claims, noting that when the clothes were given to him, neither of them knew they would eventually emerge as running mates.
The Vice-President quoted Tinubu as saying the accusation simply did not make sense.
“Tinubu Still Wore the Clothes”
In one of the most talked-about moments of his speech, Shettima said Tinubu continued wearing the clothes despite the warning he allegedly received.
According to him, the President rejected what he described as superstition and divisive politics.
“Shettima said Tinubu wore the clothes after that because he is not fetish,” a remark that immediately sparked reactions among political observers and social media users.
The statement has since fueled wider conversations about trust, loyalty and the dangerous role of political manipulation behind closed doors.
A Warning About Political Division
Beyond the dramatic story, Shettima used the moment to warn Nigerians about what he described as the growing culture of division and suspicion in politics.
He said false narratives and fear-driven politics remain major threats to national unity.
The Vice-President urged citizens to reject individuals he called “merchants of division,” insisting that Nigeria can only move forward through trust, understanding and collective responsibility.
The Message
While many Nigerians see the revelation as shocking, others believe it exposes the intense power struggles and deep mistrust that often exist within political circles.
The idea that top political figures could allegedly be turned against each other barely months into office has raised serious questions about the internal battles shaping Nigeria’s leadership.
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For some observers, Shettima’s comments also reveal how quickly rumours, ethnic sentiments and political interests can be weaponised at the highest levels of government.
And in a country already battling division on multiple fronts, the Vice-President’s story may serve as both a warning, and a reminder, of how fragile political alliances can become when suspicion replaces trust.
