Former presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu has revealed that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari once rejected a proposed N10 million food budget for the State House and insisted on eating simple local Nigerian dishes.

These revelations are part of Shehu’s newly launched memoir titled “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” which offers behind-the-scenes insights into his eight-year stint at the Presidential Villa.

According to Shehu, shortly after Buhari assumed office in 2015, he was briefed that the State House food budget, which covered the president, vice president, official banquets, and guest houses, would require N10 million.

“When they told him N10 million was needed, he screamed and demanded it be reduced,” Shehu wrote.

“Look at my table, what do I eat? How much does it cost?” Buhari reportedly asked.

Shehu described Buhari’s eating habits as modest and reflective of his simple lifestyle.

“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 noted.

In another striking account, Shehu recalled that Buhari was informed by then-Permanent Secretary Nebolisa Emodi that N400 million had already been released to procure five customised Mercedes-Benz vehicles ordered by the Jonathan 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.’”

Buhari not only rejected the car purchase but also instructed Emodi to reduce operating costs and reinforce financial discipline at the Villa.