2023 Presidential Election: Garba Shehu Speaks On Buhari's Preferred Candidate In Trending Video
by Adekunle Dada, https://www.facebook.com/legitngnews · Legit.ng News · Join- Garba Shehu, the Former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has commented on the outcome of the 2023 presidential election
- Shehu said former President Buhari did not have a preferred or favourite candidate in the last general election
- The former presidential aide explained how Buhari related with all the presidential aspirants in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)
CHECK OUT: How to Start Earning with Copywriting in Just 7 Days – Even if You’re a Complete Beginner
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja - Garba Shehu, the Former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, said no presidential aspirant got a rejection from his principal for the 2023 general elections.
Shehu said Buhari gave everyone who came to inform him about contesting for the All Progressives Congress (APC)presidential primaries a certificate of no rejection.
He stated this while speaking on Buhari's preferred candidate for the 2023 Presidential election during Politics Day on Channels Television on Friday, July 11, 2025.
“He gave a certificate of no rejection to everyone who came to him.”
Buhari’s spokesperson appears to agree that the former president's approach was in line with his quote of “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody”.
Shehu further stated that people were dropping names of presidential aspirants, but Buhari never mentioned anybody.
He also agreed with the host, Seun Okinbaloye, when he mentioned that Buhari said that if he mentioned his preferred candidate, the person might be killed.
“He played true to time. He did not seek to dictate, and he said the party will decide. We gave a statement, and it was proven there.
“Name droppers could have said anything and used his name, but never him.”
Villa rat invasion story was cover for Buhari’s illness
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Shehu reacted to the famous Villa rat invasion story during the administration of Buhari.
Garba said he fabricated the Villa rat invasion story to cover Buhari's sickness after he returned from the United Kingdom.
He disclosed this in his newly released book titled “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience”
Read more stories on Buhari:
- Presidential Aide Reacts to Claim Tinubu Did Not Make Buhari President In 2015
- Did Tinubu Make Buhari President in 2015? Ex-SGF Boss Mustapha Breaks Silence
- ‘Buhari Laid Foundation for National Development Across Sectors,’ Boss Mustapha Speaks
- Presidency Mentions 2 Things Missing in Buhari's 12m Votes Before Tinubu's Intervention
- “How Buhari Harassed My Key Officials,” Jonathan Drops Bombshell
- Onochie Reacts to Claim Tinubu Made Buhari President in 2015, “Every Lie Has an Expiry Date”
Garba Shehu speaks on Buhari's Condition abroad
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Shehu confirmed that Buhari received treatment in the United Kingdom (UK).
Shehu reassured Nigerians, expressing optimism about Buhari’s health and praying for his full recovery.
Buhari has a history of regular medical trips to London, including a lengthy 2017 stay, with visits paused briefly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.