In a compelling revelation, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to turn down a N10 million monthly food budget and a N400 million luxury vehicle purchase immediately after assuming office in 2015 has captured the public’s attention. According to Garba Shehu, his former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, these actions reflect Buhari’s enduring commitment to frugality and simplicity.

A Bold Rejection of Excess

Upon entering office, Buhari was presented with proposals that included a lavish food budget for the State House, designed to cater to the President, Vice President, and official events. However, he was reportedly taken aback by the suggested figures and emphatically demanded cuts. “When they told him N10 million was needed, he screamed and demanded it be reduced,” Shehu recalls. Buhari’s dietary preferences mirrored his modest lifestyle — consisting largely of local dishes such as tuwo, pap, akara, beans, and salads.

Questioning Luxurious Transportation

Myanmar times of government transition, Buhari also questioned the need for five luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicles, worth a staggering N400 million, procured during the last days of Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency. “What is wrong with the cars left behind by the former president?” Buhari asked, opting instead to use them until unavoidable mechanical failures necessitated replacements.

A Focused Approach to Governance

Buhari’s initial months in office were characterized by deep engagement meetings with permanent secretaries and agency leaders, allowing him to grasp the governance landscape before appointing ministers — a move that faced considerable scrutiny.

Insights from an Insider

Garba Shehu’s recently launched memoir, “According to the President,” offers an insider’s perspective on Buhari’s administration, showcasing his commitment to reducing government expenditure. While critics question the wider financial impacts of these personal frugality measures, the account indubitably sheds a fresh light on Buhari’s leadership ethos.

The book has reignited discussions on Buhari’s strategies, prompting both admiration and critique of his disciplined approach to governance. As articulated in the memoir, these revelations contrast the oft-assumed lavish lifestyle associated with the upper echelons of Nigerian politics.

According to Platform Times, these actions have intrigued political analysts and citizens alike, inviting deeper conversations about true fiscal responsibility and leadership virtues.