Is There a Rift Between Tinubu and Shettima? Here’s the Real Story Behind the Rumors

A flurry of conspiracy theories and politically charged speculations has swept through Nigeria’s political space. At the center of it all is the suggestion of a growing rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Two major claims fuel the gossip:

1. That Shettima vacated his official residence over secretly planted CCTV cameras.

2. That his speech on the Rivers State crisis was a veiled criticism of Tinubu.

So, what is true and what is fabricated? Let’s separate fact from fiction.

Claim 1: Shettima Vacated His Residence Due to Secret CCTV Cameras

The Rumor: Viral images and voice notes claimed that CCTV surveillance equipment was secretly installed in Shettima’s newly constructed Vice Presidential Lodge. It was alleged that Shettima, upon discovering this, refused to move in, citing privacy and trust concerns.

The Verified Truth: Multiple fact-checking organizations including FactCheckHub and FactCheck Africa debunked this claim. The Vice President is still residing in the older Aguda House, not because of hidden cameras, but because the new residence is not yet operational due to ongoing logistics and security adjustments. The viral screenshot supposedly from Channels TV was edited and misleading. Presidency spokesperson Stanley Nkwocha called the rumor “a deliberate orchestration of falsehood,” stressing that Shettima has not moved and was never monitored without consent.

Claim 2: Shettima’s Speech on Rivers State Crisis Hints at Conflict with Tinubu

The Spark: At the public presentation of Mohammed Adoke’s memoir in April 2025, Vice President Shettima shared the following:

“Your Excellency, you don’t have the power to remove even a councillor of a local government.”

Though historical in context, many interpreted this as criticism of President Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara was suspended and a state of emergency was declared.

The Clarification: Shettima made no reference to Tinubu. He was recounting a political lesson from 2014 during the Jonathan administration. His office clarified that the speech was in no way directed at current leadership and that the Vice President fully supports the President’s constitutional decisions. The Presidency described the interpretations as "mischievous" and "unfounded."

Final Analysis: There is no truth to the claim that Vice President Shettima vacated his official residence over CCTV cameras. There is also no credible evidence that his speech on Rivers State was an attack on President Tinubu. The entire narrative appears to be a misrepresentation of facts fueled by political speculation.

Why This Matters: Spreading unverified political claims can damage democratic institutions, erode public trust, and cause unnecessary tension. The media and citizens alike must uphold standards of responsible reporting and critical thinking.

There is no CCTV scandal. There is no confirmed fallout between Tinubu and Shettima. There is no rebellion brewing within the Presidency.

What we have is a political system under pressure, and opportunists spinning narratives to gain attention.

Let’s be smarter than the rumors. Let’s ask for evidence, not innuendos. Let’s protect our democracy with truth.