As Nigerians mourn the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, fresh revelations are painting a deeper picture of the man many thought they knew — a man known for silence more than sound, for discipline more than drama.
1. He Rejected a N10 Million Food Budget at the Presidential Villa
One of the most shocking revelations came from former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who chaired the book launch. He told the audience how Buhari was alarmed by a proposed N10 million monthly food budget at the State House shortly after taking office in 2015.
“He screamed and said, ‘Ten million? That’s too much!’” Gowon recalled, adding that Buhari immediately ordered the amount to be slashed. Even the guesthouses and banquets were not spared from his cost-cutting measures.
It was a moment that perfectly captured Buhari’s austere lifestyle and his obsession with cutting excess.
2. He Lived a Life of Simplicity — Even as President
Speakers at the event, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former SGF Boss Mustapha, described Buhari as a man who never sought the luxuries of power.
“Buhari wasn’t drawn to the theater of power, but to its quiet burden of responsibility,” Osinbajo said in his moving speech. “He governed with duty over drama, conviction over applause.”
General Gowon added, “No matter the criticisms, you can’t take away the fact that Buhari had the firm interest of Nigeria at heart. He was not one for materialism.”
3. He Was Misunderstood — But Loved by His Team
According to Garba Shehu’s book, Buhari wasn’t always easy to work with — but he gave his aides freedom and trust. Despite public criticism, his media team, including Shehu and Femi Adesina, remained fiercely loyal.
Shehu even recalled a time when he was fired as VP media aide — without his knowledge. “NTA called to say they were announcing my resignation. But I hadn’t resigned,” he wrote. That moment marked a major shift in his career, eventually leading him to become presidential spokesman.
4. His Legacy Goes Beyond What We See
Boss Mustapha’s keynote lecture focused on the impact of Buhari’s leadership, highlighting major reforms in oil and gas, road infrastructure, national security, poverty reduction, and digital identity.
Among his legacies:
- The Petroleum Industry Act
- Construction of the Second Niger Bridge and other key roads
- COVID-19 response that earned global praise
- Military modernization with a $1 billion equipment upgrade
- Broadband expansion and digital policy reform
Mustapha described him as a leader who “led with a sense of time greater than his tenure… setting things in motion that would outlast him.”
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