Former presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, has revealed that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari rejected a proposed N10 million monthly food budget and turned down the purchase of new cars upon assuming office in 2015.
Shehu made the revelations in his newly launched memoir, According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience, unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja.
The book chronicles Shehu’s eight-year tenure as Buhari’s media aide and offers behind-the-scenes insights into life at the State House.
According to Shehu, shortly after Buhari’s inauguration, officials proposed increasing the State House food budget — which covered meals for the President, Vice President, guest houses, and official banquets — to N10 million. But Buhari was reportedly alarmed by the amount.
Shehu said, “When they told him N10 million was needed, he screamed and demanded it be reduced.
“Look at my table, what do I eat? How much does it cost?” Buhari reportedly asked.
Describing the former president’s personal habits, Shehu said Buhari maintained a modest and healthy diet throughout his presidency.
“Regarding his simple lifestyle, as president, most of the things he ate were very basic food that is recognisable and associated with and consumed by the lower strata of the Nigerian society: tuwo (dough-like dishes made from grains), pap, akara (bean cake), beans, wheat, plenty of salads, poultry and mutton. He ate healthily,” he said.
Shehu also recounted Buhari’s refusal to approve the purchase of five customised Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
He said the cars were ordered during the final days of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, and N400 million had already been released for the acquisition.
Shehu wrote, “The proposal to buy the vehicles had been made at the twilight of President Jonathan’s administration.
“But Buhari asked, ‘What is wrong with the cars left behind by the former president?’ and added, ‘They are all right for my use.’”
Shehu said instead of authorising the purchase, Buhari directed the then Permanent Secretary at the State House, Nebolisa Emodi, to reduce operating costs and improve financial oversight.
“He instructed that all State House expenses must stay within the approved budget and that reliance on the so-called Presidential Intervention Funds must end,” Shehu stated.
He said the former president continued using the vehicles left by his predecessor until one of them broke down en route to the airport, prompting a reluctant switch.
Shehu also noted that Buhari spent his early months in office holding consultations with permanent secretaries and heads of federal agencies to understand the scale of the country’s challenges — a decision that contributed to the delay in appointing ministers, drawing public criticism at the time.
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