Raphael Kanu
Former President Muhammadu Buhari left office without personal wealth but with his integrity untarnished, according to his former media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu. Shehu made this known during a media briefing in Abuja ahead of the public presentation of his new book, “According to The President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience.”
“Buhari is broke and does not have money. No one can say he collected a bribe during or after his time in office,” Shehu stated.
He emphasized that Buhari’s financial modesty and avoidance of scandals demonstrate a rare commitment to ethical leadership, contrasting with Nigeria’s history of alleged corruption among public officials.
Addressing the lingering controversy over Buhari’s academic credentials, Shehu dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
“The certificate issue was purely a product of 2015 politics,” he said. “Government College, Katsina, where he studied, was burnt. The matter was investigated, and the military records confirmed his credentials. Buhari was a military secretary—his qualifications were never in doubt.”
When asked why the former President was rarely seen granting press interviews, Shehu explained that Buhari was a leader who preferred action over publicity.
“Buhari wasn’t a showman. He believed in doing the work and letting results speak for themselves. Yet, he was one of Nigeria’s most voracious newspaper readers. Every morning, he would ask for the day’s papers,” he noted.
Shehu’s upcoming 260-page book provides first-hand insights into the inner workings of Nigeria’s presidency and sheds light on critical national moments under Buhari’s leadership. According to the author, the book offers valuable lessons for media professionals, political figures, students, and researchers.
In addition to his time with Buhari, Shehu also recounts his earlier role as spokesperson to then Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the turbulent second term of President Olusegun Obasanjo (2003–2007).
“Obasanjo declared a political war on his vice president. I was detained by the DSS, held in Kuje prison, and faced a two-year legal battle. At some point, Atiku himself had to go underground,” Shehu recalled.
Shehu concluded by defending Buhari’s performance in office, particularly on security challenges such as Boko Haram and the age-old farmers-herders conflict.
“The herders-farmers crisis predates Buhari—it’s been there since colonial times. He did his best with what he had. History will be kind to him. Unfortunately, many governors simply didn’t trust him,” Shehu asserted.
The public presentation of “According to The President” is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9, 2025, in Abuja. The book chronicles the complexities of presidential communication and the burden of public perception in modern governance.
