The Presidency has strongly denied claims that Vice President Kashim Shettima was prevented from entering the Presidential Villa by military officers. The report, which circulated across several online platforms, alleged that Shettima was denied access to his office in the State House, Abuja — a claim the Presidency has described as entirely false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, the Presidency labeled the report as “mischievous and totally fabricated,” urging Nigerians to disregard it.
The statement titled *“Re: Mischievous Report on Access to the Presidential Villa by Vice President Kashim Shettima”* addressed growing concerns after an obscure blog post claimed that armed military officers had allegedly blocked the Vice President from entering the Villa. It described the allegation as “a wild expression of wishful thinking” and “a clear indication that the purveyors of these tales have exhausted both ink and imagination.”
Nkwocha stated that nothing of the sort occurred, and added that those behind the story are only attempting to sow discord within the top ranks of government.
“These reports seek to mislead the public into believing there is a clash at the highest levels of government. It is a feeble attempt to traduce the person and office of Vice President Shettima,” he said.
According to the statement, this is not the first time that false stories have been circulated about the Presidency. The spokesman mentioned that there has been a deliberate and sustained campaign of disinformation targeting both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in recent months.
“In recent times, there has been deliberate and well-planned orchestration of falsehood against the Vice President’s person and office in many multidimensional forms,” Nkwocha said.
He explained that such fabrications aim to paint a picture of internal conflict within the Presidency, which is far from the truth. The Presidency emphasized that the relationship between Tinubu and Shettima remains solid and guided by mutual respect and a shared vision for the country.
“It is understandable, though regrettable, that the mischief-makers continue to underestimate the strength of the bond and goodwill between the President and the Vice President.”
The statement also comes amid renewed rumors of a power struggle between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima — speculation that intensified after campaign posters featuring Tinubu recently surfaced online. The posters suggested early political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections, but the Presidency has since disowned the materials, calling them unauthorized and fake.
“Earlier this week, the Presidency dismissed similar fake news regarding campaign posters bearing the images of President Bola Tinubu. These stories are part of a desperate attempt to undermine the commitment of the President and his deputy to the rule of law,” Nkwocha said.
The Presidency reassured the public that Vice President Shettima remains focused on his duties and will not be distracted by “media circus” or false narratives designed to cause tension.
“He does not have the luxury of time for distractions, particularly those born of the imagination of individuals intent on creating smoke where there is no fire.”
Nkwocha noted that Shettima has continued to work closely with the President on implementing reforms aimed at reviving the economy, creating jobs, and tackling insecurity across the country.
“He’s not and will never partake in their media circus. It is a futile pursuit, even by the standards of the morally indifferent.”
The statement also issued a subtle warning to media platforms that publish unverified information, urging journalists and media professionals to always seek accurate facts before pushing out stories that could destabilize the polity.
“We encourage the public to disregard such malicious publications and urge the media to continue seeking information from credible sources. Sensational claims should be approached with caution.”
Nkwocha praised Nigerians who have refused to be swayed by fake news and instead shown unwavering support for the current administration.
“We commend Nigerians across all divides who continue to express goodwill toward this administration and who have taken it upon themselves to fight the spread of fake news. Your trust and support are deeply appreciated.”
Kashim Shettima, a former Governor of Borno State, became Vice President in May 2023 after serving as the running mate to Bola Tinubu in the February 2023 presidential election. Since taking office, he has played a key role in several government initiatives, particularly around economic planning, youth development, and foreign investment outreach.
His influence within the Tinubu administration is seen as significant, and reports of tension between him and the President have consistently been denied by official sources.
Observers say that attempts to create a narrative of division between the President and his deputy are likely driven by political interests seeking to exploit perceived cracks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The issue also highlights Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with misinformation and fake news, especially on social media. In recent years, government agencies, civil society, and fact-checking platforms have raised the alarm over how quickly false stories can spread and create public panic or political unrest.
While freedom of expression remains a vital part of Nigeria’s democratic culture, officials have called for greater media responsibility, particularly when it comes to reports involving high-ranking public officials.
“The covenant between this government and the citizens of Nigeria was made possible through a legitimate and constitutional process,” the statement concluded. “No amount of falsehood or manufactured tension can shake the foundation of that democratic mandate — not under the watch of President Bola Tinubu.”
