Former spokesperson Garba Shehu has made a startling revelation, admitting that the widely publicized “rat invasion” of President Muhammadu Buhari’s office in 2017 was fabricated to cover up the president’s health condition at the time.
In his new book, “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” launched on Tuesday in Abuja, Shehu disclosed that he crafted the Villa rat invasion story as a deliberate public relations strategy to divert attention from growing concerns about President Buhari’s health and capacity to govern.
“It was a strategy to manage public expectations. The president was still recovering, and the office needed more time before he resumed fully. The rat story was convenient,” Shehu admitted in a recent interview.
The 2017 announcement that rats had damaged the president’s office and forced him to work from home for weeks sparked national outrage and ridicule. Many Nigerians questioned how rodents could take over the highest seat of power in the country.
At the time, Shehu had told the press that rodents had damaged the furniture and air conditioning in the president’s office while Buhari was in London for over 100 days on medical leave.
Buhari’s Health Was a State Secret
Buhari’s health condition during his first term was the subject of intense public debate, with the presidency offering little detail. The revelation now confirms long-held suspicions that the administration deliberately downplayed the severity of his illness.
“There was immense pressure to show that everything was under control. We did what we had to do to maintain public calm,” Shehu added.
Public Reaction and Fallout
Social media exploded with reactions following the former aide’s admission. Critics say it highlights the culture of secrecy and spin that plagued Buhari’s presidency.
Some political analysts say the rat cover-up undermined public trust and raised deeper questions about transparency in the Nigerian presidency.
“What else was hidden from Nigerians under the guise of national interest?” one user asked on X (formerly Twitter).
A Broader Pattern?
Shehu’s remarks come at a time when Nigerians are increasingly demanding greater honesty from public officials, particularly concerning health and fitness of elected leaders.
The controversy also reignites the debate about the need for constitutional reforms to make health disclosures mandatory for top officeholders.
