The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Coalition has issued a stern rebuttal to recent remarks made by Vice President Kashim Shettima, urging him to uphold his earlier statement that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally remove elected officials, including councillors and governors.
In a fiery statement released today, the coalition expressed deep concern over what it described as “a troubling pattern of shifting rhetoric” from Vice President Shettima. The ADC Coalition emphasized:
“We expect the Vice President to stand by the principles of democratic governance he articulated. If indeed President Tinubu lacks the constitutional powers to remove a councillor, then any attempt to influence or orchestrate the removal of a sitting governor must be deemed both unlawful and unacceptable.”
The coalition accused the current administration of exhibiting increasing disregard for the autonomy of states and the rule of law, citing political interference in recent moves to undermine governors perceived as out of sync with federal interests. They warned:
“Any executive overreach must be met with unwavering resistance. The constitution is not subject to mood swings or political convenience.”
The ADC urged citizens, civil society, and legal practitioners to demand transparency from the federal government and reinforce the independence of subnational leadership. The coalition called on the Vice President to clarify his position publicly and reaffirm his respect for the limits of presidential authority.