Presidency reacts as military reportedly stopped Shettima from entering Aso Villa

The Presidency has dismissed viral reports alleging that Vice President Kashim Shettima was denied access to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, describing the claims as deliberate falsehoods. In a statement released on Saturday, Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, said the reports were designed to cause confusion and fuel speculation about a rift within the Presidency. “These mischievous and totally fabricated reports are all in a bid to cause confusion and insinuate a clash in the Presidency,” Nkwocha said. “There is absolutely no truth to the story.” He rubbished claims that armed military personnel stopped Shettima from entering the villa, calling it “the wildest expression of wishful thinking.” ALSO READ: Tinubu, Shettima under fire for ‘wasteful’ foreign trips “It is so far removed from reality that only those unfamiliar with the inner workings of government could believe it,” he added. Nkwocha pointed out that this is not the first time such rumours have surfaced. He referenced a similar false report earlier in the week involving alleged 2027 campaign posters featuring the vice president. “These stories are part of a desperate attempt to undermine the strong working relationship between the president and his deputy,” he said. He added that Shettima remains focused on his duties and has no time for distractions “born from the imagination of mischief makers.” Nkwocha thanked Nigerians who continue to support the administration and urged the media to verify facts before publishing. ALSO READ: Nigeria’s war is with poverty, not itself – VP Shettima on Plateau killings “No amount of falsehood can shake the foundation of the democratic mandate entrusted to this government,” he said.