VP Kashim Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that he was the most demonized person during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking at the public presentation of a book titled ” _OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigeria Oil Block,”_ authored by former Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, Shettima recounted his ordeal under Jonathan’s administration.
*“Most Demonized Person”*
“I was the most demonized person, I was the public enemy number one,” Shettima said.
He narrated how former President Jonathan had considered removing him as Governor of Borno State, but was advised against it by some officials, including Adoke and Aminu Tambuwal, the then Speaker of the House of Representatives.
*“Courage and Conviction”*
Shettima praised Adoke for his courage and conviction in standing up for what he believes in.
“He (Adoke) told the then President that Mr. President, you do not have the powers to remove a sitting governor, not even a councillor,” he said.
*“Forgiveness and Reconciliation”*
The Vice President also commended Adoke for his ability to forgive those who had offended him in the course of his public duty.
“That was how my relationship with Mr. Adoke and Aminu Tambuwal became eternally sealed,” he said.
The book presentation highlights the complexities of Nigeria’s oil industry and the challenges faced by public officials. The OPL 245 deal, which involved Royal Dutch Shell and Italy’s Eni paying $1.3 billion to acquire Nigeria’s deep-water oil licence, has been the subject of controversy and litigation.
