Garba Shehu: Buhari was Nigeria’s most informed President

Garba Shehu, the former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has defended his former boss, describing him as perhaps the most informed and aware president Nigeria has ever had.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Shehu dismissed the common narrative that Buhari was detached from national issues during his tenure.

He explained that Buhari deliberately chose to work quietly without seeking media attention, preferring his achievements to speak for themselves. “President Buhari didn’t just want to cut ribbons and take pictures. He wasn’t a showman. He wanted his work to speak for him,” Shehu stated.

Contrary to claims of aloofness, Shehu revealed that Buhari was often ahead of his aides in staying updated on current affairs. “When we started with him, we would go to Buhari’s house for breakfast to brief him on what radio stations and newspapers were saying. Believe me, by the time you got there, he had already read ahead of you,” he recounted.

Shehu acknowledged criticisms that Buhari’s leadership was slow but attributed it to his commitment to democracy and due process, unlike his military days when he ruled by decree. “Was he slow? Yes, even he admitted it. He used to say that back then as a soldier, he was brash and impulsive, but as a democrat, he had to follow due process. Nigerians are impatient; we want quick fixes, but he insisted on following the law,” Shehu added.

When asked whether Buhari harbours plans to oppose President Bola Tinubu or the APC in 2027, Shehu firmly dismissed the suggestion.

“No, not at all. Buhari is loyal to the APC. That party gave him the opportunity of a lifetime, and Tinubu, his successor, is from the same party. Buhari contested three times and only won when he teamed up with Tinubu and others. Why would he now leave or fight the party?” Shehu affirmed.