Serving As Buhari’s Media Aide Not ‘Act Of Betrayal’-Garba Shehu

Former presidential spokesman, Mr  Garba Shehu, has clarified and asserted that serving as former president Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide from 2015 to 2023, was not in any way an act of betrayal.

Mr Garba Shehu had been known as one of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s close aides before getting appointed as Buhari’s spokesman in 2015, and many had insinuated that he betrayed the former Vice President.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Mr Garba Shehu, who presided over a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the launch of his new book titled ‘According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience’, which is scheduled to hold on July 9, submitted that he didn’t betray Atiku as he had joined Buhari’s media team with his permission in 2014.

 ‘All the aspirants, including Atiku, Rochas Okorocha, Kwankwaso, and the late Sam Nda-Isaiah, contributed their media assets to the Buhari campaign. I was part of that pool.

The president had the grace to appoint me as campaign media director. That was how I came on board’ he submitted while noting that he never said negative things about Atiku while serving as presidential spokesman.

 ‘If I had attacked Atiku, how would Buhari trust me? He would assume I could do the same to him one day.

 I learned from history. Even during the fallout between Abiola and IBB, did you hear the presidential spokesman vilify Abiola?’ he said.

Mr Garba Shehu said his new book is not a personal life story but a guide for young people who want to go into journalism and public relations while it also offers insight into Buhari’s style of leadership.

‘The book is meant to inspire students and professionals in journalism and PR. It also tells the story of what President Buhari did during his eight years in office his policies, his character, and how he governed’ he submitted.

While the 260-page book cannot cover everything the Buhari administration did, Mr Garba noted that it however highlights key achievements like the Treasury Single Account, BVN, NIN, Tax Identification Number, whistleblower policy and other efforts to make the government more transparent.

The Buhari administration, he added, laid the groundwork for a more self-reliant Nigeria and set a new standard for integrity and transparency in governance--Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you