Former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has shed light on the strained relationship between his principal and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Reacting to Obasanjo’s recent criticism of Buhari’s administration, Shehu argued that the former leader “never liked” Buhari despite the latter’s deep respect for him.
In his book, According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesman’s Experience, Shehu disclosed that the fallout between the two men, who once held each other in high regard, was triggered by disagreements over the controversial Mambilla Power Project.
“There are many around Muhammadu Buhari who hold that the spectacular falling out between him and his superior in the military whom he cherished and much respected, President Olusegun Obasanjo, was on account of the demand, reportedly put to him by Obasanjo, that the contract for the Mambilla Power Project be given to a contractor he preferred,” Shehu wrote.
According to him, Buhari declined the request, insisting on handling the project in line with due process.
“On this, the late Buhari politely told the former president to allow him to handle it his own way,” he added.
Shehu maintained that Obasanjo’s personal displeasure over this incident may have fueled his consistent attacks on Buhari’s policies, both during and after his presidency.
