Amid swirling media reports about the alleged seizure of a plot of land belonging to former President Muhammadu Buhari, his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, has clarified the matter, debunking claims that the ex-leader personally owned the contested property.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Shehu refuted the narrative, stating that the property in question was allocated to the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation, a non-profit organization established by individuals close to the former president.
According to Shehu, the foundation had lawfully acquired the land with support from well-meaning Nigerians but encountered bureaucratic hurdles when the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) presented an unusually high bill for the issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
“This bill was far higher than what was typically charged to similar organizations,” he said, adding that the revocation of the property rights came as no surprise.
He further stressed that Buhari, during his tenure, had demonstrated a personal disinterest in acquiring additional land in Abuja.
“When he and his cabinet members were invited to apply for land in the FCT, he returned the form unfilled, stating that he already owned a plot and that others without land should benefit instead,” Shehu explained.
The former spokesperson lashes out commentators spreading misinformation about the alleged seizure, urging them to verify their facts before making baseless claims.
“Let those jumping up and down in the digital space get their facts right and stop dragging the name of the former president into baseless controversies,” Shehu said.
Shehu, however, reiterated Buhari’s integrity and commitment to selflessness throughout his public service, positioning the clarification as an attempt to protect the former president’s legacy.
