National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu treats his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima as if he does not exist by limiting his responsibilities within the administration.
Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who stated this when he featured on a television interview programme with AIT, said that Vice President Shettima has been denied the opportunity to contribute fully to governance in spite of his wealth of experience and capabilities.
Dr Baba-Ahmed, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, stressed that the office of the vice president should involve far more than representing the president at official functions only.
Referencing his experience as a former adviser in the Vice President’s office, Baba Ahmed declared that he was familiar with the workings of the office and believed that Shettima’s role had been significantly constrained.
Baba-Ahmed described Senator Shettima as a highly intelligent and capable leader, adding that Nigeria would have benefited more if President Tinubu had entrusted the Vice President with greater responsibilities.
In the words of Baba-Ahmed; “Tinubu is treating Shettima as if he does not exist. A vice president should do a lot more than representing the president.
“I worked there. I know what I am talking about. I don’t want to get him into trouble for speaking in this manner. A brilliant person like Shettima should do a lot more than this,” he insisted.
Baba-Ahmed’s comments have further added to ongoing public discussions about the role of the vice president in the Tinubu administration with particular reference to his involvement in key government decisions.
The Presidency is yet to respond to Baba-Ahmed’s serious comments.
