Shettima Was Never Denied Access to Aso Rock — Presidency
The Presidency has dismissed reports claiming Vice President Kashim Shettima was denied entry into the Presidential Villa.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), described the reports as “deliberate and well-planned orchestration of falsehood”.
In a statement on Saturday, Nkwocha said the claims were far from reality and could only be believed by those unfamiliar with how government operates.
He urged the public to disregard the reports and advised media organisations to verify sensational claims before publication.
“In recent times, there has been a consistent and calculated effort to spread lies against the person and office of the Vice President,” he said.
He added that such reports were aimed at misleading the public into believing there was conflict within the Presidency.
“The latest of such claims — that the Vice President was barred from entering the Villa — is completely false,” Nkwocha stated.
He described the reports, mostly from obscure blogs, as a “wild expression of wishful thinking” and a sign that those behind them had “exhausted both ink and imagination”.
Nkwocha recalled that the Presidency had earlier debunked fake news about campaign posters featuring President Tinubu, saying the trend was a desperate attempt to undermine the unity and commitment of both leaders.
He insisted that Vice President Shettima remains focused on his duties and continues to support President Tinubu in achieving the administration’s goals.
“Shettima has no time for distractions. He won’t join in any media circus aimed at causing confusion,” Nkwocha added.
He also praised Nigerians who have stood against the spread of fake news and reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration’s mandate was rooted in constitutional legitimacy.
“No amount of falsehood or manufactured tension can shake that foundation,” he said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
