In a recent interview on Channels TV, Shehu Garba, former spokesperson to President Muhammadu Buhari, opened up about the defining qualities of the Nigerian leader, particularly highlighting his personal integrity. Reflecting on his time serving Buhari, Garba emphasized that the president’s reputation was beyond reproach.
“President Buhari’s personal integrity is unimpeachable,” Garba stated emphatically. He shared how, even in the face of intense media scrutiny, he never feared being confronted with embarrassing or scandalous stories about the president. “As a spokesperson, you were never going to be greeted by embarrassing stories of your boss being involved in wrongdoing in any way,” he explained.
Garba further detailed the challenges that come with being a public figure’s spokesperson, especially when dealing with journalists who are trained to probe and sometimes unsettle officials. “Journalists like to prick you, to remind you that you are one of us,” he said, describing how reporters would often try to catch spokespersons off-guard with tough questions. However, Garba noted that with Buhari, there was never any cause for concern. “With Buhari, you slept with your two eyes closed, never worried that a scandal would break involving this man.”
This testimony from Garba reinforces the image of President Buhari as a leader committed to ethical standards and transparency, even amidst the complexities of Nigerian politics. It also sheds light on the confidence and trust that Buhari’s close aides had in his character throughout his tenure.
