He Said ‘No’ To Bribes and Bling – Shehu Reveals Buhari’s Shocking Rejections As President

Garba Shehu, former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed how the former Nigerian leader consistently rejected financial kickbacks and luxury gifts during his time in office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Shehu recalled that Buhari firmly opposed inflated project costs and once confronted a major government contractor involved in road, railway, and bridge projects. During a visit to the Aso Rock Villa, Buhari warned the company’s management to stop including hidden percentage cuts—typically 10% or more—into government contracts, which were often shared among top officials and civil servants.

According to Shehu, Buhari made it clear that such corrupt practices would not be tolerated under his administration, stressing that all those supposed “favors” were ultimately funded by taxpayers through bloated contract sums.

This revelation was made in Shehu’s recently published book titled “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience.”

Shehu also recounted an incident where Buhari instructed him to return a diamond-plated wristwatch gifted by a major construction firm. In another instance, Buhari declined a luxurious timepiece presented by a Nigerian-American icon in the global luxury watch and jewelry business, insisting it be returned—and Shehu carried out the order without hesitation.

Buhari reportedly told the contractors:

“We have been informed that you build homes for government leaders, buy and maintain their expensive cars, sponsor their foreign medical trips—including air ambulances—and claim it’s at no cost. But we know these expenses are built into project costs. This must stop. We won’t accept kickbacks.”