Former presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, has boldly declared that former President Muhammadu Buhari never stole a single kobo throughout his eight years in office, describing him as “a man of unmatched personal integrity.”
Speaking during a press briefing ahead of his book launch, “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” Shehu said Nigerians may have had mixed opinions about Buhari’s leadership, but his character and honesty were never in doubt.
“For eight years, I slept peacefully. No journalist ever called me at midnight to ask if my boss had stolen money. President Buhari was not that kind of leader,” Shehu said, adding, “He lived a simple life, even while holding the highest office in the land.”
Shehu noted that Buhari was misunderstood by many Nigerians who saw his quiet style as weakness. “He wasn’t a showman. He didn’t care for cutting ribbons or taking pictures. He just wanted to work and let results speak for him,” he said.
According to him, Buhari’s approach to leadership emphasized accountability and transparency. “The introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), BVN, NIN, and tax systems were all efforts to block leakages and improve how government money was used,” Shehu stated.
WATCH FULL VIDEO ON SYMFONI TV
He also defended Buhari’s decision to plan for subsidy removal before leaving office. “It wasn’t sabotage. It was in the 2023 budget that subsidy would end by June. The National Assembly approved it. So, President Tinubu only continued what was already set,” he explained.
Touching on security, Shehu said the Buhari administration made significant gains in fighting Boko Haram and banditry. “The security challenges didn’t disappear, but the northeast was far better than how he met it. He tried hard and never gave up on restoring peace,” he said.
Shehu’s book, set for release on July 9, 2025, provides detailed insights into his journey from humble beginnings to working at the heart of power. From being jailed during his time with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to managing Buhari’s media strategy, Shehu shares lessons for journalists, communicators, and political aides.
“President Buhari had no interest in flashy things. Sometimes, people gave him exotic gifts – he would quietly reject them. That’s the kind of leader he was,” Shehu added.
He emphasized that “According to the President” is not a personal memoir, but a practical and inspirational book for media professionals and future government spokespersons. “It is about telling the story truthfully, and giving people something to learn from,” he said.
The former spokesperson also confirmed that Buhari has accepted to be part of the book launch event. “Whether virtually or physically, he will attend. We’ve spoken with him and his team. He’s aware and supportive,” Shehu noted.
Garba Shehu concluded by saying that while people may criticize Buhari now, time and patience will reveal the full picture. “One day, Nigerians will look back and realize that this man truly served with integrity.”
Comments 6