Buhari is Broke, Has Integrity Intact – Garba Shehu Declares Ahead of Book Launch
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the former presidential spokesperson Mallam Garba Shehu has revealed that ex-President, Muhammadu Buhari is currently broke but remains untainted by corruption allegations, maintaining his personal integrity after leaving office.
OTN News further reports as gathered that, Shehu made the remarks on Tuesday during a press conference in Abuja to announce the public presentation of his upcoming 260-page memoir, "According to The President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience", slated for release on July 9.
According to him, “Buhari is broke and does not have money. Nobody can say he gave him a bribe. He left office with his integrity intact.”
Reflecting on his own life since Buhari’s departure from Aso Rock in 2023, Shehu said, “Since Buhari left office, no journalist has called me to say ‘we’re going to press’ and want my reaction. I now sleep very well.”
Addressing the longstanding controversy over Buhari’s academic qualifications, Shehu dismissed the saga as a political distraction dating back to the 2015 election.
He clarified that Buhari’s military records had been located, despite the destruction of a school building, noting that Buhari had served as a military secretary and that the matter had since been resolved.
Shehu also offered insights into why Buhari was rarely seen granting press interviews during his eight-year presidency, attributing it to the former leader’s reserved nature rather than disdain for the media.
He exampled, “Buhari doesn’t speak to media because he wasn’t a showman and wanted his work to impact the people. He is one of the most voracious readers in Nigeria and reads all the newspapers every day.”
The forthcoming memoir details Shehu’s tenure as presidential spokesperson and chronicles what he described as the “rough and tough moments” of managing communication at Nigeria’s highest office.
The book, aimed at students, communication professionals, and researchers, also recounts Shehu’s earlier role as spokesperson for then-Vice President Atiku Abubakar during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s second term from 2003 to 2007.
During that turbulent period, Shehu recounted how he became a target of state persecution. “During his second term of office, President Obasanjo declared war on his vice president in a major crisis that sent threats, including the fear of death, flying around,” he said.
“Atiku went underground. I became a person of interest to the security agencies, a detainee in the DSS and Kuje prison, and underwent a trial that lasted over two years.” he added.
The memoir also delves into his experiences navigating relationships with the media, the legal system, and law enforcement agencies in Nigeria’s volatile political environment.
Reflecting on Buhari’s leadership and legacy, Shehu insisted that history would judge the former president fairly. “People will see in due course whether Buhari did his best or not. History will be kind to Buhari,” he said.
He defended Buhari’s efforts in confronting the Boko Haram insurgency, which he said was the nation’s most pressing security challenge when the former general assumed office.
OTN News observes from the information gathered that, while he acknowledged the persistence of the farmer-herder crisis, Shehu noted that the issue predates Buhari’s administration, dating back to colonial times.
“Buhari did his best, but some governors don’t trust him,” Shehu said.
OTN News, however, observes that, the memoir is expected to provide rare behind-the-scenes insight into presidential decision-making and media management under one of Nigeria’s most enigmatic leaders.
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