Garba Shehu Admits Fabricating Presidential Villa Rat Story to Cover Buhari’s Illness

The Controversial Cover-Up Story

In a startling revelation, Garba Shehu, former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has admitted to fabricating the infamous “Presidential Villa rat invasion” story as a deliberate strategy to divert attention from concerns about Buhari’s health.

The confession comes from Shehu’s newly released book titled “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience”, launched on July 7 in Abuja. The book provides unprecedented insights into the media strategies employed during Buhari’s administration, particularly during sensitive periods.

The Origin of the Rat Story

In Chapter 10, aptly named “Rats, Spin and All That,” Shehu explains the circumstances that led to the unusual explanation. The situation arose when Buhari returned from an extended medical trip to the United Kingdom in 2017, having spent nearly three months receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.

“When the surge in calls for explanation of why the president would be working from home, if truly he had recovered his health and fit for the office came, I said to the reporters that the office, which had been in disuse, needed renovation because rats may have eaten and damaged some cables.”

Shehu reveals the story originated from an actual conversation about office maintenance, which he then exaggerated into a national talking point to shift focus from the president’s health condition.

Internal Reactions to the Cover-Up

The fabricated story didn’t go unnoticed within government circles. Shehu recounts how both then-Minister of Information Lai Mohammed and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo questioned his decision during a meeting.

“I said to them that the choice I made was deliberate: I wanted the discussion to shift, to move to any other issue besides the president’s health and his ability to continue in office as the leader of the country. In my view, that spin succeeded. Both of them disagreed, saying that this was well off the mark.”

Buhari’s Health Challenges

The revelation sheds new light on the persistent concerns about Buhari’s health during his presidency. Previous reports indicated that Buhari had spent days in the intensive care unit (ICU) during one of his medical trips to London, though the exact nature of his illness was never officially disclosed.

These health challenges led to multiple extended medical leaves, sparking debates about presidential capacity and transparency in government. The rat story, as Shehu now admits, was an attempt to manage these sensitive discussions.

Other Notable Absences

Buhari’s health issues reportedly caused him to miss several important events, including the ECOWAS 50th anniversary celebration in Lagos. At the time, the presidency cited a routine medical check-up in the UK as the reason for his absence.

Media Strategy or Misinformation?

Shehu’s admission raises important questions about the ethics of government communication. While he defends the decision as a necessary media strategy to protect the presidency, critics might view it as deliberate misinformation.

The book provides a rare glimpse into the challenges faced by presidential spokespersons in balancing transparency with political expediency, especially regarding sensitive matters like a leader’s health.

Public Reaction and Legacy

The rat story became one of the most memorable moments of Buhari’s presidency, spawning memes and widespread discussion. Now knowing it was intentionally fabricated to divert attention adds a new layer to understanding media management during that era.

As Nigeria continues to debate transparency in government, Shehu’s revelations offer valuable lessons about the complex relationship between media, public perception, and political leadership.

Source: Legit.ng