A Spare Tire or a Flat One? Babachir Lawal’s Scathing Blow to VP Shettima’s Relevance in Tinubu’s Government

 

“A Spare Tire or a Flat One? Babachir Lawal’s Scathing Blow to VP Shettima’s Relevance in Tinubu’s Government”

Is Vice President Shettima a Strategic Leader—or a Political Passenger?

When Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, publicly likened Vice President Kashim Shettima to a “flat spare tire”, it wasn’t just a jab—it was a thunderclap in Nigeria’s power corridors. The metaphor, sharp and scornful, has reignited national debate: Is Shettima actively steering policy behind closed doors—or merely warming a ceremonial seat in the Villa?



As President Bola Tinubu’s administration wades through a storm of economic volatility, rising insecurity, and civil unrest, Lawal’s critique cuts deeper than personal politics—it forces a reckoning with the institutional role and relevance of Nigeria’s Vice President.

The Spare Tire Metaphor: Nigeria’s VP Curse Revisited

The image of the Vice President as a “spare tire”—functional only when there’s a blowout—has become a recurring motif in Nigeria’s political theatre. But Babachir Lawal’s spin on it—“flat spare tire”—adds a harsher twist: a VP who’s not just idle, but entirely useless in moments of crisis.

This isn’t the first time Nigeria has grappled with this problem:

  • Atiku Abubakar (1999–2007): Once a powerful political force, sidelined in his later years following a fallout with President Obasanjo.

  • Namadi Sambo (2010–2015): Known more for presence than performance under Goodluck Jonathan.

  • Yemi Osinbajo (2015–2023): Initially hands-on, but later reduced to a background player as Tinubu’s shadow loomed.

Now, Kashim Shettima seems to be following the same script—a supporting character in a drama that demands more lead roles.

Shettima’s track record as two-term Governor of Borno State earned him accolades for his frontline role during the Boko Haram crisis and bold education reforms. But since becoming VP, his public footprint has shrunk—triggering questions about whether he’s strategizing in the shadows or sidelined altogether.

Three Critical Policy Arenas—Three Missed Opportunities?

  1. Economic Restructuring:

    • While Tinubu’s reforms—fuel subsidy removal, forex liberalization—reshape the economy, Shettima’s voice is notably absent in shaping or defending these polarizing policies.

  2. National Security:

    • With his firsthand experience in insurgency-ridden Borno, many expected Shettima to lead or at least advise robustly on Nigeria’s growing insecurity. Instead, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and military chiefs have taken center stage.

  3. Public and Diplomatic Engagement:

    • Compared to Osinbajo’s vibrant presence in international forums and economic summits, Shettima’s calendar has been light. A Premium Times exposé revealed that the VP has attended fewer than five major policy briefings in 2024—a dismal number amid national emergencies.

Why Lawal’s “Flat Spare Tire” Remark Strikes a Nerve

The metaphor stings not just for its bluntness—but because it rings uncomfortably true to many observers.

“A spare tire is expected to come through when the going gets tough. A flat one? It’s a burden, not a backup,” remarked political analyst Dr. Sam Amadi.

And in a country grappling with 33.2% inflation (according to the National Bureau of Statistics, April 2024), food insecurity, and regional instability, every part of the leadership engine must be firing—not idling.

Defenders of Shettima argue that he prefers to wield quiet influence, focusing on internal cohesion, party alignment, and conflict resolution within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). But in a political landscape that values visibility as much as results, absence from national discourse reads as disengagement—not discretion.

More critically, insiders report that policy heavyweights like Wale Edun (Finance Minister), Dele Alake (Solid Minerals), and Ribadu are shouldering key decisions. This fuels speculation that Shettima’s role is less policy architect, more placeholder.

Lawal’s scathing metaphor may be incendiary, but it reflects a deeper crisis: the chronic underutilization of Nigeria’s second-highest office. In a governance model screaming for efficiency, innovation, and proactive leadership, a passive VP is a luxury the country simply cannot afford.

The question isn’t just about Shettima’s visibility—but his effectiveness. Is he part of Nigeria’s problem-solving machine—or merely watching from the passenger seat?

History has not been kind to Vice Presidents who waited in silence. To avoid becoming another footnote in Nigeria’s long list of forgettable deputies, Kashim Shettima must step into a more assertive, purposeful role—before public perception cements him as a political deadweight.

Lawal may have thrown the first punch, but the verdict lies in what Shettima does next.

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