By our Reporter
Garba Shehu, former spokesperson to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed that Buhari turned down a proposed ₦10 million food budget during his presidency, opting instead for simple meals like beans and pap.
Shehu made the disclosure in his memoir “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience”, launched recently in Abuja.
He recounted that shortly after Buhari assumed office in 2015, the State House proposed raising the food budget which covered meals for the president, vice president, guest houses, and official events to ₦10 million. Buhari reportedly rejected it, insisting it be slashed.
“Look at my table, what do I eat? How much does it cost?” the former president asked, according to Shehu.
Shehu described Buhari’s diet as modest and healthy, consisting mostly of staple foods like tuwo, pap, akara, beans, wheat, vegetables, poultry, and mutton.
He also recalled Buhari’s rejection of a proposal to buy five custom Mercedes-Benz vehicles, which had been approved near the end of former President Jonathan’s tenure. Buhari instead opted to use the vehicles Jonathan left behind, only replacing them after one broke down en route to the airport.
Buhari also ordered a review of spending at the Presidential Villa, called for stronger financial controls, and instructed that all expenses must remain within budget ,ending reliance on discretionary “Presidential Intervention Funds.”
