Former presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu has shared shocking details of his time as media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing it as one of the most difficult periods of his career.
Speaking during a press briefing ahead of the launch of his new book “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience”, Shehu revealed that he and his colleagues “saw hell” while working with Atiku during the turbulent years of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s second term.
Shehu said he was abruptly fired without explanation, learning of his removal from the 9pm NTA news. The sacking followed a controversial magazine cover story critical of the Obasanjo government, which some insiders linked to Shehu due to his friendship with the journalist involved. “They didn’t tell me anything. Someone from NTA just called to say, ‘Your resignation will be announced tonight.’ That’s how I lost my job,” he recounted.
But the ordeal went further. Shehu disclosed he was arrested and detained multiple times by the DSS and eventually dumped in Kuje Prison on the orders of a judge. He was put on trial for over two years before being discharged and acquitted. He said Atiku himself had to go underground at some point, showing how intense the political persecution became. “We weren’t just doing media work. We were fighting for political survival. And it came at a heavy price,” he said.
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Despite the humiliation and trauma, Garba Shehu made a miraculous return to political relevance when he was appointed Director of Media for Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 presidential campaign. He explained that all the candidates Buhari defeated in the APC primary, including Atiku and others, donated their media teams to Buhari, and he was fortunate to be picked. “I never expected to return to Aso Rock, let alone at a higher level,” he said.
Interestingly, despite what he suffered under Atiku, Shehu said he never attacked him during his time with Buhari. “If I attacked Atiku, Buhari would never have trusted me. You don’t destroy your former boss to please your new one. I walked on eggs for eight years, but I never broke them,” he said.
In his upcoming book, Shehu gives rare insight into the political turbulence he faced, his personal sacrifices, and his journey from a persecuted aide to a trusted presidential spokesperson. The book, which he insists is not a personal biography, covers ten chapters filled with media, political and communication lessons, including surviving smear campaigns, handling criticism, spinning stories responsibly, and maintaining integrity.
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He also discussed his working relationship with President Buhari, describing the former president as a man of high personal integrity. “Nobody has ever called me at night to say my boss stole money. I slept soundly throughout my eight years with Buhari,” he said, adding that the former president did not rule for show but focused on tangible impact, especially for the poor.
Garba Shehu’s new book is scheduled to launch on July 9, 2025, and former President Buhari has accepted the invitation to attend, either physically or virtually. According to Shehu, the purpose of the book is to preserve history, share lessons with aspiring communicators, and reflect on what it meant to serve at the highest levels of government.
