Former presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, has denied claims that he betrayed ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar by joining President Muhammadu Buhari’s media team in 2015.
Ahead of the launch of his new book titled “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” set for release on July 9, Shehu explained that he didn’t turn his back on Atiku, but simply accepted an opportunity that came after circumstances changed.
Shehu, who was once Atiku’s spokesman, on Tuesday, during a press briefing in Abuja, said that after Atiku and others lost the All Progressives Congress presidential primary in 2014, all of their campaign media teams, including his, were merged into Buhari’s campaign.
“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’s how I came on board,” he said.
Explaining why he never spoke against Atiku during his time working with Buhari, he stated, “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?”
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.
He added that it also offers insight into Buhari’s style of leadership.
He said, “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 added that while the 260-page book cannot cover everything the administration did, it highlights key achievements like the Treasury Single Account, BVN, NIN, Tax Identification Number, whistleblower policy and other efforts to make the government more transparent.
Shehu said the Buhari administration laid the groundwork for a more self-reliant Nigeria and set a new standard for integrity and transparency in governance.
