Vice president Shettima’s admission of obstructing FCCPC sparks outrage

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned Vice President Kashim Shettima’s public admission of interfering with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to favor Sahad Stores, a supermarket owned by his friend Ibrahim Mijinyawa.

Thediscovererng.com gathered that during the inauguration of Sahad Hospitals in Abuja, Vice President Shettima revealed that he had personally contacted the FCCPC’s leadership to demand the reopening of Sahad Stores, which had been shut down for violating pricing regulations.

This admission has raised critical questions about the integrity of governance and the impartiality of regulatory bodies in Nigeria.

HURIWA described the Vice President’s actions as a blatant abuse of power and a disturbing disregard for due process, setting a dangerous precedent for the rule of law in Nigeria. The organization emphasized that the Vice President’s interference undermines the authority of the FCCPC and erodes public confidence in the government’s commitment to upholding the law.

“The Vice President’s admission is deeply troubling and represents a significant breach of public trust,” said Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator. “By admitting to deliberately circumventing the due process of law to favor his friend’s business, Vice President Shettima has shown a disturbing disregard for the rule of law and has set a dangerous example that could embolden others to similarly abuse their positions of power.”

HURIWA called for a full investigation into the Vice President’s actions and urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate steps to restore public confidence in the independence and authority of the FCCPC and other regulatory bodies. The organization also emphasized the need for stronger safeguards to protect the independence of regulatory bodies and prevent future instances of political interference.