Garba Shehu, the former presidential spokesperson, says
Muhammadu Buhari, rejected a proposed N10 million food budget for the State
House during his tenure.
Shehu made the revelation in his memoir titled ‘According to
the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience’, which
was launched in Abuja on Tuesday.
The book recounts his eight years of service under Buhari
and offers behind-the-scenes insights into governance at the State House.
According to Shehu, shortly after Buhari assumed office in
2015, he was informed that the State House food budget — covering meals for the
president, vice-president, guest houses, and official banquets — needed to be
increased to N10 million.
“When they told him N10 million was needed, he screamed and
demanded it be reduced,” Shehu said.
“Look at my table, what do I eat? How much does it cost?”
Buhari reportedly asked.
The former spokesperson described Buhari’s daily meals as
“simple” and “healthy”.
“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,” Shehu added.
‘BUHARI REJECTED NEW
CARS’
Shehu said shortly after assuming office in 2015, Buhari was
briefed by Nebolisa Emodi, permanent secretary at the State House, that N400
million had been released to purchase five customised Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
“The proposal to buy the vehicles had been made at the
twilight of President Jonathan’s administration,” Shehu wrote.
“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 noted that Buhari declined the purchase and directed
Emodi to cut down operating costs at the Presidential Villa and strengthen
internal financial controls.
He said Buhari continued using the vehicles left behind by
Jonathan, only switching after one broke down on the way to the airport.
“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 said.
Shehu also said Buhari spent the early months of his
administration consulting with permanent secretaries and heads of agencies to
understand the challenges facing the country. This, he noted, contributed to
the delay in appointing ministers — a move that drew criticism at the time.
In one anecdote, Shehu said during one of Buhari’s medical
trips, when Yemi Osinbajo was acting president, some officials — not Osinbajo —
approached Abba Kyari, the late chief of staff, about a security vote.
“Malam Abba told them that the president kept nothing to
that effect,” Shehu wrote, emphasising Buhari’s tight control over public
funds.
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