Garba Shehu, former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has defended Buhari’s grasp of national issues, countering public perception that the former president was often uninformed.
In his newly launched book, “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja, Shehu revealed that Buhari was deeply engaged with current affairs throughout his tenure from 2014 to 2023.
Referencing Chapter 6, titled “The Muhammadu Buhari Persona” (page 108), Shehu noted that Buhari regularly read multiple newspapers, listened to the radio, and watched TV news daily.
To ensure access to physical newspapers, a driver was even tasked with a daily trip from Daura to Kano—a two-hour journey—to collect them, a routine that continues even post-presidency.
Shehu described Buhari as someone who, despite avoiding public exposure and media appearances, was meticulous in monitoring what was being said or written about his administration.
This revelation comes in contrast to a widely circulated comment by Buhari during his presidency, where he said, “I am not aware,” in response to a security-related question—an utterance often used by critics to question his leadership.
