The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has responded to a shocking revelation made by Garba Shehu, former spokesperson to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari. In a recent statement, IPOB claims that Shehu’s confession about the infamous "villa rats" story has vindicated its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who for years alleged that Nigerians were being misled about Buhari’s health.
In 2017, Garba Shehu announced that President Buhari could not resume work at the Presidential Villa after his return from medical treatment in London due to an unusual problem—rats had allegedly overrun his office, damaging furniture and wiring.
At the time, the story attracted widespread skepticism and ridicule. Many Nigerians suspected it was a cover-up to hide the President’s deteriorating health condition. However, no official clarification was given—until now.
In his recently published memoir, “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience”, Garba Shehu openly admitted that the "villa rats" story was fabricated. According to him, the narrative was deliberately created to divert public attention away from the real issue: President Buhari’s prolonged illness.
Shehu writes:
“We had to come up with something to ease the pressure and keep the media distracted while the President recuperated.”
This admission has reignited conversations about government transparency and manipulation of public narratives in Nigeria.
IPOB’s Reaction
The IPOB, through its spokesperson Emma Powerful, released a statement asserting that Nnamdi Kanu has been vindicated. For years, Kanu insisted that the Nigerian government was hiding the truth about Buhari's health and accused officials of deceiving the public.
Emma Powerful said:
“Garba Shehu’s confession is a direct confirmation of what Mazi Nnamdi Kanu told the world. He was called a liar and persecuted for speaking the truth. Today, those who orchestrated the deception are admitting it openly.”
IPOB further criticized the Nigerian leadership, accusing them of spreading falsehoods and manipulating the masses for political convenience.
Public Reactions and Implications
The revelation has sparked outrage and debates on social media. Many Nigerians are calling for greater accountability from political leaders and transparency about the health of public officials.
Legal experts and civic groups argue that such misinformation damages public trust and threatens democracy. There are also calls for laws that mandate full disclosure about the health status of sitting presidents and other top government officials.
Conclusion
Garba Shehu’s confession has reopened old wounds and brought new scrutiny to the Buhari administration’s handling of sensitive information. For IPOB and supporters of Nnamdi Kanu, it is seen as a moment of truth that confirms long-standing claims of government deceit.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with issues of leadership integrity and media manipulation, this incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for honesty and accountability in governance.