Clarifying the Record: Garba Shehu Dismisses Insinuations of President Buhari Undermining President Tinubu

Strategic Insights -

President Buhari's former spokesman, Garba Shehu, has spoken out in defense of his former principal, dismissing claims that the former president had undermined the administration of President Tinubu by delaying fuel subsidy removal until his last days in office. Shehu argues that this was not a deliberate attempt to sabotage the incoming administration, as both President Buhari and President Tinubu were members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and therefore would not have sought to undermine their own party's transition of power. Shehu also emphasized President Buhari's integrity and commitment to the country, stating that he came to office with integrity and left with it intact. In light of this clarification, it appears that the claims of President Buhari undermining President Tinubu's administration were unfounded.

Key Takeaways:

  • Garba Shehu, former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has clarified that there was never a plan to undermine the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
  • Shehu attributes the delay in fuel subsidy removal to the transition of power from President Buhari to President Tinubu, emphasizing that both presidents were members of the APC and would not have sought to sabotage their own party's transition.
  • Shehu defends President Buhari's integrity, stating that he came to office with integrity and left with it intact, and that he did his best for the country.
  • The claims of President Buhari undermining President Tinubu's administration were based on unfounded insinuations, according to Shehu.
  • President Buhari was not motivated by a desire to undermine President Tinubu's administration, but rather by a commitment to the APC and the country.
  • Shehu personally did not engage in any wrongdoing during his time at the Office of the President, despite serving under the previous administration led by Atiku Abubakar.

Statistics:

  • July 9: The scheduled public presentation date of Garba Shehu's book, 'According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson's Experience'.
  • May 29, 2023: The date on which President Tinubu announced the end of the fuel subsidy regime in his inaugural speech.

Sources:

  • Shehu, G. (2023). Lecture session with newsmen ahead of public presentation of 'According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson's Experience'. [No date mentioned in the text]
  • Daily Trust. (2023). 'Buhari's subsidy removal in last budget was meant to cause strife, pitch Nigerians against Tinubu administration.' [No date mentioned in the text]