Garba Shehu unveils book detailing lessons as presidential spokesman
Garba Shehu
Abdullateef Fowewe
Garba Shehu, spokesman to former president Muhammadu Buhari, has published a new book titled “ACCORDING TO THE PRESIDENT: LESSONS FROM A PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN’S EXPERIENCE.”
Shehu in a statement on Tuesday claimed the book promises a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the workings of Nigeria’s presidency, drawing from his extensive experience in political communications and governance.
In a heartfelt message to the media and supporters, Shehu expressed gratitude for their unwavering support over the years.
He wrote, “I have come to you to thank you for giving me support over the years, most especially as the media director of the 2015 presidential campaign. You also stood by me throughout those eight years of the Buhari presidency.”
Shehu’s memoir recounts his early career challenges, including his tenure as spokesman for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s second term (2003-2007).
Despite being dismissed after six months, Shehu describes this period as “a testy yet remarkable period in my professional growth.”
He details his multiple arrests and detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), including a two-year trial that ended in acquittal.
“My trial spanning over a two-year period and the eventual acquittal; the how and why it happened should provide a heads up to journalism practitioners,” he added.
The book according to him offers an intimate look at President Buhari’s leadership style, personal habits, and governance philosophy.
Shehu shares, “Given his unique personal styles, President Buhari wasn’t a leader who merely cut ribbons and took pictures. He wanted his work to speak for him, as he tried to reach the doorstep of the poor through a first-of-its-kind Social Investment Program, SIP.”
Shehu highlights the Buhari administration’s commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable Nigerians — including farmers, youths, women, and small traders — through innovative social welfare programs and infrastructure development.
The memoir also underscores the administration’s efforts to instill a culture of integrity and transparency in government operations.
Shehu notes transformative policies such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Tax Identification Number (TIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), and the Whistleblower program.
“His government brought a new culture into government—a culture of personal integrity and set new benchmarks in transparency,” he stated.
Shehu envisions the book as a valuable resource for students, journalists, and researchers interested in presidential communications and Nigerian politics.
“It is a book that seeks to achieve two things. One, to provide a reading material to students of communication, journalism practitioners, and researchers on the lessons learned in many years of presidential communications,” Shehu.
While acknowledging the book’s 260-page limit, Shehu asserts that it successfully captures the essence of Buhari’s transformative presidency stressing, “It is not in doubt that President Buhari brought the nation to a new pinnacle in the efforts to lay the foundation for a self-reliant Nigeria.”
