Former presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu has dismissed claims of cabals influencing ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as “sheer nonsense,” asserting Buhari’s full control during an interview on July 11, 2025.
The narrative of shadowy cabals manipulating policy, particularly on security and economic issues, gained traction during Buhari’s 2015-2023 tenure. Shehu, who served as Senior Special Assistant on Media, argued that decisions like the 2019 re-election strategy and Naira redesign were Buhari’s alone, countering perceptions of external dominance.
Shehu’s defense comes amid lingering debates, with critics like Babachir Lawal alleging cabal interference in appointments and contracts. He cited Buhari’s direct oversight of the military campaign against Boko Haram as evidence of autonomy, though opponents highlight unexecuted promises as counterpoints.
The interview, aired on a national network, has sparked mixed reactions, with supporters praising Buhari’s leadership while detractors question Shehu’s bias. The claim remains contentious, lacking independent corroboration.