Buhari is broke – Garba Shehu
By Jeffrey Agbo
Former presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu has revealed that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari is financially drained and left office with modest means—insisting that Buhari’s hands remained clean throughout his administration.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Shehu emphasised that no one can credibly claim the former president accepted a bribe during his time in office, underscoring what he described as Buhari’s enduring personal integrity.
“Buhari is broke and does not have money. Since Buhari left office, no journalist has called me to say ‘we’re going to press’ and want my reaction. I now sleep very well,” Shehu stated.
He addressed several long-standing narratives about Buhari, including the controversy over his academic credentials. According to Shehu, the debate about Buhari’s certificate was nothing more than political propaganda manufactured during the 2015 elections.
“The allegation over certificate was a product of politics surrounding the 2015 election,” he added.
Shehu shared these remarks during an interactive session with reporters following a press briefing to announce the upcoming release of his memoir titled “According to The President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience.” The 260-page volume is scheduled for public presentation on July 9.
Delving into Buhari’s guarded approach to public engagement, Shehu explained why the former president rarely entertained media interviews.
READ MORE:
Saint Lucia confers highest national honour on Tinubu
“Buhari is one of the most voracious readers in Nigeria. He reads all newspapers. He asks for newspapers every morning. Buhari doesn’t speak to media because he wasn’t a showman and wanted his work to impact on the people,” he said.
The forthcoming book not only chronicles Shehu’s stint under Buhari but also reflects on his earlier political journey. He served as spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the Obasanjo administration (2003–2007), a period marked by political hostility and internal strife within the presidency.
Recalling the turbulence of that era, Shehu said: “During his second term of office, President Obasanjo declared war on his vice president in a major crisis that sent threats – including the fear of death – flying around.
“At some point, the VP himself went underground as you would read it in the book. As the VP’s spokesman, the author chronicles his experiences as a principal officer in the Obasanjo presidency (Office of the Vice President) and his subsequent expulsion; his life as a person of interest to the security agencies, a detainee in the Department of State Service, DSS and the Kuje prison, and the story of his trial in the courts spanning over two years.”
Shehu noted that the memoir offers valuable insight for journalists, politicians and students of political communication on media relations in government, handling crises and navigating legal and institutional pressure.
Regarding the certificate saga, Shehu said: “I didn’t go there (controversy over alleged certificate issue) because it was a matter that had been resolved. Buhari was a product of politics and was cleared because the certificate was found. He was a military secretary. The allegation was a product of politics. Government College, Katsina was burnt. Some officers were punished for being used by politicians.”
Reflecting on his legacy, Shehu maintained that Buhari did the best he could, especially in dealing with national security challenges such as Boko Haram and the longstanding herder-farmer crisis.
“People will see in due course whether Buhari did his best or not. History will be kind to Buhari. When he came in, the big issue for him was Boko Haram. Farmers and herders crisis has been an old crisis from colonial times. He did his best but some governors don’t trust him,” he said.
