Former presidential spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu has insisted that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari left office with his integrity intact, asserting that no one can accuse him of taking a bribe during or after his time in power.
Shehu made this known on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Abuja during the announcement of his upcoming book, According to The President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience, which is set for public presentation on July 9.
He also dismissed the long-standing controversy surrounding Buhari’s certificate, describing it as a mere political weapon wielded during the heat of the 2015 elections.
“The allegation over the certificate was a product of politics… the certificate was found,” he said.
On Buhari’s media silence while in office, Shehu explained that the former president was more focused on governance than showmanship.
“Buhari doesn’t speak to media because he wasn’t a showman and wanted his work to impact on the people,” he said.
New book reveals behind-the-scenes moments in Buhari, Atiku’s camps
Shehu recounted his turbulent years in government, particularly during his time as spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He described the Obasanjo-Atiku fallout as a period marked by fear, surveillance, and even imprisonment.
“At some point, the VP himself went underground… I was a person of interest, detained by the DSS, sent to Kuje prison, and later faced trial for over two years,” Shehu narrated.
He explained that his new 260-page book is not only a memoir but also a resource for media professionals, politicians, students, and researchers seeking to understand the complexities of government communication, media relations, and political power play.
Touching again on Buhari’s record, Shehu added,:
“History will be kind to Buhari… He did his best, especially with the Boko Haram crisis, though some governors didn’t trust him.”
