Garba Shehu dismisses claims Buhari backed Atiku over Tinubu in 2023 election

Garba Shehu, former spokesman to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has refuted claims that his former principal supported the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, over the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during the 2023 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Shehu insisted that Buhari not only supported Tinubu but also allowed a free and fair electoral process that led to his emergence as president.

“There is no truth to the claim that President Buhari worked against Tinubu,” Shehu said. “In fact, I sat with President Tinubu after his victory and he himself acknowledged that Buhari allowed him to win in a free and fair election.”

The former presidential aide dismissed the widespread speculations that Buhari had preferred other candidates, such as former President Goodluck Jonathan or ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, ahead of Tinubu. He added that Buhari had encouraged several APC members—around 25—to purchase nomination forms, emphasizing internal democracy within the party.

“When people are looking for favours or trying to ingratiate themselves with leaders, they’ll say all sorts of things,” Shehu stated. “You didn’t expect Buhari to stop others from contesting against Tinubu.”

The clarification comes amid lingering political speculation surrounding the dynamics of the APC primaries and Buhari’s role in the 2023 presidential election.