Buhari Wasn’t Power-Hungry Like Obasanjo, Yar’Adua – Garba Shehu Fires Shots

This revelation is contained in Shehu’s newly launched memoir, “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In the book, Shehu describes Buhari’s willingness to delegate authority as a groundbreaking shift from the norm established by previous Nigerian leaders, who were often reluctant to relinquish power.

Writing in Chapter 6 titled “The Muhammadu Buhari Persona” (pages 112–113), Shehu contrasts Buhari’s actions with those of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He recalls how both leaders failed to transfer power to their deputies—Atiku Abubakar and Goodluck Jonathan—even in situations that called for it.

Shehu states:

“A key takeaway from Buhari’s eight-year presidency is his ease in delegating power to Vice President Osinbajo. In contrast, under President Obasanjo, Vice President Atiku’s influence diminished rapidly as responsibilities were stripped away, including his constitutional role as chair of the National Economic Council. Their relationship deteriorated to the point where Obasanjo unilaterally removed Atiku from office and locked him out of his workspace.”

“During Yar’Adua’s tenure, despite his serious illness, there was no formal delegation of power to Vice President Jonathan. It required a massive national outcry, including interventions from former leaders, civil society, opposition politicians, and ultimately the National Assembly invoking the Doctrine of Necessity to transfer authority to Jonathan.”

He further notes that while Vice President Namadi Sambo never served in an acting presidential role under President Jonathan—likely due to Jonathan’s consistent public appearance of good health—Buhari stood out for his constitutional adherence.

“Unlike his predecessors, Buhari voluntarily handed over power in line with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution during his medical trips to the UK, by formally notifying the Senate,” Shehu wrote.

This, Shehu asserts, established a national milestone—allowing the vice president to fully function in an acting capacity, including signing executive orders, approving budgets, swearing in ministers, and even the Chief Justice of Nigeria.