Umar Sani, a political analyst and former spokesperson, has claimed that Vice President Kashim Shettima was set up during a National Economic Council (NEC) meeting. In an interview with Arise Television, Sani explained that Shettima faced unexpected opposition from state governors who had already made up their minds before the meeting even began.
According to Sani, northern governors had met earlier in Kaduna and agreed to reject a proposed tax bill. This meeting happened before the official NEC gathering, where Shettima was expected to lead discussions and get support for the bill on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
“What they did to Shettima was to ambush him,” Sani said. “The governors had already decided not to support the bill. It was a strategic plan.”
He also pointed out that southern governors, who attended the NEC meeting, did not speak up against the decision. Sani was especially surprised that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State didn’t voice any objection. “There was no dissenting voice. That tells you they planned it. He was only abused, and there was nothing he could do,” he added.
Despite the difficult situation, Shettima was still able to convince the governors to support the decision of the President. However, Sani believes the incident shows why Tinubu may be reluctant to give Shettima more responsibilities.
