‘Stop Wearing Shettima’s Clothes or You Will Die,’ Borno Allies Warned Tinubu — VP Shettima Reveals

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a candid revelation that underscores the undercurrents of suspicion and intrigue in Nigeria’s political landscape, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has disclosed how some individuals from his home state of Borno attempted to sow discord between him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly after the administration’s inauguration.

Speaking at the public launch of former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon’s autobiography, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, in Abuja on Tuesday, Shettima recounted the unusual allegations made against him barely three months into the Tinubu-Shettima administration.

According to Shettima, the individuals — whom he did not name — approached President Tinubu with claims that the clothes gifted by the Vice President during the presidential campaign were charmed.

They allegedly urged the President to stop wearing them, warning that Tinubu would die and Shettima would ascend to the presidency.

“Barely three months after we were sworn in, some of our people from Borno told President Tinubu, ‘Please stop wearing Shettima’s clothes, he must have charmed them and you are going to die, and he will become the president,’” Shettima said.

Shettima further narrated that President Tinubu summoned him to relay the message, saying: “Sit down! Your people came to me and said stop wearing those Shettima’s clothes.”

However, the President reportedly dismissed the claims as illogical, noting that Shettima could not have foreseen becoming Vice President at the time the clothes were gifted. Tinubu demonstrated his trust by continuing to wear the attire publicly.

The anecdote, shared in the context of loyalty and political bonding, highlights the challenges of trust within Nigeria’s complex political environment, even at the highest levels of government.

Shettima used the story to emphasize the strong relationship between him and President Tinubu, which has withstood early attempts to create division.

The event also featured significant support for Gowon’s book, including a ₦3 billion donation from prominent philanthropist General Theophilus Danjuma, ₦500 million from Aliko Dangote.

No names of the accusers have been made public, and the Presidency is yet to issue an official comment on the revelation.