By Vincent Egunyanga, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday disclosed that unnamed individuals attempted to sow distrust between him and President Bola Tinubu shortly after the inauguration of the administration in 2023, including allegations that he was plotting to assassinate the President and take over power.
Shettima made the revelation in Abuja during the public presentation of former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s autobiography, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, attended by top political leaders, military veterans and business figures.
According to the Vice President, some persons from his home state of Borno allegedly warned Tinubu against wearing traditional outfits he had presented to him before the 2023 election, claiming the garments were spiritually manipulated.
“About three months after we assumed office, the President invited me and said, ‘People from your state came to tell me not to wear the clothes you gave me because you want to kill me and become President,’” Shettima recounted.
He said Tinubu dismissed the allegation, insisting the claim made no sense because the outfits were given long before both men emerged as the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress.
“The President told them the story was baseless because at the time the clothes were given, neither of us even knew we would become candidates,” he added.
Shettima praised Tinubu for refusing to entertain “superstitious and divisive narratives,” saying the President continued wearing the outfits despite the warnings.
The Vice President used the occasion to caution Nigerians against promoting suspicion, ethnic division and political bitterness, stressing that national unity remained essential to the country’s survival.
President Tinubu, whose address was delivered by Shettima, also renewed calls for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence across the country, warning that insecurity and violence posed grave threats to national development.
Drawing parallels between the post-civil war era and present security challenges, Tinubu said Gowon’s administration laid the foundation for national healing after the Nigerian Civil War through deliberate reconciliation policies and institution-building.
He cited the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as one of the major initiatives introduced to foster integration among Nigerians from different ethnic and regional backgrounds.
The President particularly appealed to residents of Plateau State to embrace peace in honour of Gowon, whom he described as one of the country’s most enduring symbols of unity and reconciliation.
“Shettima urged Plateau residents to end the bloodshed and give peace a chance in honour of their illustrious son,” Tinubu said through the Vice President.
The appeal comes amid renewed killings and communal violence in parts of Plateau State and other regions, which have continued to raise concerns over Nigeria’s security situation.
Former Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma also defended Gowon’s wartime leadership, insisting the former Head of State prevented Nigeria from collapsing during the civil war.
“As Nigeria’s Head of State during one of the most turbulent periods in our nation’s history, Gen. Gowon exhibited immense courage and sterling character in steering our beloved country from the brink of disintegration,” Danjuma stated.
*Danjuma: Gowon saved Nigeria from disintegration
He further praised Gowon’s famous post-war declaration of “no victor, no vanquished,” saying the policy helped heal deep national wounds after the 30-month conflict.
“His slogan of ‘no victor, no vanquished’ helped heal the scars of war and put Nigeria on the path of reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation,” Danjuma added.
The autobiography, which spans about 881 pages and 36 chapters, chronicles Gowon’s childhood in present-day Plateau State, his emergence as Nigeria’s leader after the 1966 counter-coup, the civil war years, his overthrow in 1975 and life in exile.
*Ex-Head of State unveils autobiography, reveals Obasanjo didn’t want to serve under Murtala
In one of the revelations contained in the memoir, Gowon disclosed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo initially resisted serving under Gen. Murtala Muhammed after the 1975 coup that removed him from office, reportedly arguing that Murtala was his junior in the military hierarchy.
Historical accounts show that Murtala Muhammed later became Head of State in July 1975, following Gowon’s overthrow in a bloodless coup, before his assassination in February 1976 paved the way for Obasanjo to assume power.
The event attracted major donations from prominent Nigerians and corporate leaders.
Danjuma pledged N3 billion towards the launch and directed that copies of the autobiography be distributed to the 20 universities that awarded honorary doctorates to Gowon.
Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote, donated N500 million through his representative, Mansur Ahmed, describing Gowon as a leader whose actions preserved Nigeria’s unity during a difficult period.
Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, also donated N25 million, while Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, reviewed the book.
Among the dignitaries present were former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and former military President Ibrahim Babangida, who his daughter, Aisha Babangida, represented.
