R-L: A Photo of Garba Shehu-and Muhammadu Buhari
By DAVID IORJA, Abuja –
Former presidential spokesman Garba Shehu has debunked claims of cabals influencing former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, describing such assertions as “sheer nonsense.”
In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Shehu emphasized that Buhari, as a military general turned democrat, was firmly in control of his administration.
Buhari Wasn’t One to Take Orders
Shehu said, “This thing about cabals is sheer nonsense, let me tell you. Buhari is a military general, even when he becomes a converted democrat.”
He added, “You could have people around you and have people advise you, but the box stopped on his table.”
Shehu insisted that Buhari wasn’t one to take orders but rather give them, saying, “I know not one person who can give you 100% assurance that I tell Buhari ABC is black, he will say ABC is black. No, he had his own mind.”
Most Aware President
Shehu also praised Buhari, saying, “I will say with all emphasis that Buhari will be assessed, if it can be done, perhaps as the most aware president this country has had.”
He attributed criticisms of Buhari’s leadership style to misconceptions about his non-interference in ministerial affairs.
“Buhari was not meddlesome, he never pretended like he owned Nigeria. He wasn’t a dictator,” Shehu said.
