Abuja, Nigeria – Garba Shehu, wey be former spokesperson to President Muhammadu Buhari, don drop serious gist wey go make you laugh and think. For him new book, ‘According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience’, wey launch for Abuja, he talk how Buhari reject N10 million food budget during him tenure. No be small matter o!
According to Shehu, as Buhari take over for 2015, dem propose to increase the State House food budget wey go cover meals for the president, vice-president, dem guest houses, and official banquets reach N10 million. Buhari hear this one, and e nearly vex. E ask dem, ‘Wetin I go chop wey go cost N10 million? Look my table, wetin dey there?’ Na so we hear say him love simple and healthy food. No be say he dey eat jollof rice everyday or anything like that.
Shehu describe Buhari’s meals as basic food wey fit common man: tuwo, pap, akara, beans, salads, and dem poultry. Shey na only me dey reason say na wetin mama use cook for house na wetin dem dey chop for State House? (E be like say dem no follow current trend na!)
But no be only food matter wey dey this gist. Shehu also reveal say when Buhari just start im tenure, dem tell am say N400 million don clear for buy five new Mercedes-Benz. But sharp guy wey be Buhari no gree. E ask, ‘Wetins wrong with the cars wey Jonathan leave for me? Dem dey okay for my use.’ Na serious cut cost level wey dis man dey operate! (Na so dem dey do for government, wetin we go fit use vs wetin we dey waste, abi?)
Buhari no only reject the motor, but e also tell Nebolisa Emodi, wey be the Permanent Secretary, to tighten financial controls and cut down any unnecessary spending for the Villa. E continue dey use the cars wey Jonathan leave until one come break down while dem dey rush am to airport. Then na im he change cars, but e no be because of luxury o, but real wahala!
During the early period for him presidency, Buhari also dey community with permanent secretaries and heads of agencies to dey understand the wahala wey Nigeria dey face. This one cause small delay in appointing ministers, but we dey see say e no dey rush things anyhow. (No be say dem no wan appoint, wey dem dey talk, Buhari just dey collect information sharp sharp first.)
One funny part for this whole story na when Buhari dey travel for medical reasons, Yemi Osinbajo wey be acting president dey handle thing, some officials waka come meet Abba Kyari, wey be Chief of Staff, about security vote wey dem dey find. Abba sharp guy tell dem say Buhari no keep that kind money on top, talk say him dey control public funds well well. (E be like say Buhari no dey play with our money o, him dey serious on that matter!)
So, as this gist dey spread, no go forget say Buhari dey live for simple life while dem dey handle big big budget. Dis one don make many people wonder how true e be, but one tin we fit learn be say sometimes less na more. Maybe na wetin dem dey call minimalism for presidency! (So why all our big men no fit follow dis example, na wah!)
