2023 Presidential Election: Garba Shehu Speaks On Buhari's Preferred Candidate In Trending Video

2023 Presidential Election: Garba Shehu Speaks On Buhari's Preferred Candidate In Trending Video

  • 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)

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.

Garba Shehu speaks on Buhari's preferred candidate during 2023 presidential election
Garba Shehu says Buhari never rejected any presidential aspirant. Photo credit: Muhammadu Buhari
Source: Facebook

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.

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“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.

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“How I used Villa rat invasion story to cover for Buhari’s Illness,” Garba Shehu explains

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”

Tinubu, Amaechi, Akpabio, Umahi and others seek Buhari's support
Garba Shehu says Buhari did not dictate who became the APC presidential candidate. Photo credit: @OfficialAPCNg
Source: Getty Images

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Garba Shehu speaks on Buhari's Condition abroad

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Shehu confirmed that Buhari received treatment in the United Kingdom (UK).

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‘Buhari laid foundation for national development across sectors,’ Boss Mustapha speaks

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.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Adekunle Dada avatar

Adekunle Dada (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Adekunle Dada is a trained journalist with over 8 years of working experience. He is also a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a B.Sc. in Mass Communication from Lagos State University, Ojo. Adekunle previously worked at PM News, The Sun, and Within Nigeria, where he expressed his journalistic skills with well-researched articles and features. In 2024, Adekunle obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. He can be reached via adekunle.dada@corp.legit.ng.

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