The claims made by former President Muhammadu Buhari during an All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting at Katsina that he relies on rental income from one of his houses in Kaduna State to support his living expenses after serving two terms as Nigeria’s president has been found to be untrue.
These widely reported claims have left many to doubt if he said so and wondering if the statement attributed to a man known for his honesty and integrity could hold any truth.
A reader expressed scepticism following reports of Buhari’s claims, stating: “How can this be true? As a retired army general, he receives over N1 million in monthly pension, not to mention the generous life pension provided to former presidents and heads of state. Something doesn’t add up here.”
Muhammadu Buhari served as the military head of state from 1983 to 1985, taking over from Shehu Shagari after the 1983 coup d’état. During his military rule, Buhari implemented several policies aimed at addressing corruption, economic decline, and social indiscipline. His administration introduced the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) in 1984, which focused on promoting public morality and civic responsibility.
Buhari also served as the President of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, running on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His presidency was marked by efforts to tackle corruption, improve the economy, and enhance national security.
Verification: To verify the accuracy of his claim, PRNigeria fact-check team conducted a keyword search and discovered that the claims had been published by mainstream media on Monday, January 27, 2025 which confirmed he said so.
Similarly, findings showed that the former President made the statement while speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting, held at the Presidential Banquet Hall of the Government House in Katsina State.
“Nigeria is a difficult country to govern, but most Nigerians are unaware. You will not understand the complexities of leadership and the country itself until you find yourself in the administrative position of the country.
“I look much better and healthier now than when I was the president of the country. Anybody that sees me now acknowledges that I look better than before.
“After eight years as a civilian president, I have only three houses; one in Daura and two in Kaduna. I have given one out for renting where I get money for FEEDING,” he stated.
Further investigation showed that in 2016, Buhari stated that he did not receive the pensions due to him as a retired military officer, unlike many of his contemporaries.
Meanwhile, the federal government annually allocates funds in the budgets for former leaders. For instance, during his tenure, Buhari’s administration allocated N7.8 billion for entitlements to former presidents, deputies, and others in 2021. According to details from the approved 2021 budget, approximately N7.8 billion was set aside for entitlements, severance allowances, and other benefits for the nation’s former leaders.
The 2021 allocation was the second-lowest amount designated for retired top government officials since 2017, when N5.9 billion was budgeted for their gratuities. Of the N7.8 billion allocated in 2021, former heads of state, presidents, and their deputies were set to receive a combined entitlement of N2.3 billion.
Similarly, as stipulated by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC), a former president is entitled to a severance pay of N10.54 million, which is 300% of his annual basic salary, while a former vice president is entitled to N9.09 million.
Additionally, under the law, former presidents receive a monthly upkeep allowance of N350,000, while former vice presidents and chiefs of general staff receive N250,000. This amount is subject to review whenever there is an increase in the salary of the serving president.
Recently, the Tinubu led Federal Government earmarked a total of N13,805,814,220 for the upkeep of former presidents, vice-presidents, heads of state, Chiefs of General Staff, retired heads of service, permanent secretaries, as well as retired heads of government agencies and parastatals in the 2024 fiscal year.
The beneficiaries include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as ex-vice-presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo and Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
Also expected to benefit from the windfall are ex-military Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as a former dictator and self-styled military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, and a former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.).
Moreover, while President Buhari claims he has only three houses, one in Daura and two in Kaduna in which he has given out one for rent, his 2015 asset declaration indicates that the former President actually has five homes and two mud houses, as well as farms an orchard and a ranch with 270 head of cattle, 25 sheep, five horses and a variety of birds. Additionally, Buhari owns shares in three firms, two undeveloped plots of lands and bought two cars from his savings.
However, his 2023 asset declaration while leaving office was not made public yet.
Conclusion: The findings by PRNigeria showed that former President Muhammadu Buhari is entitled to huge statutory severance packages and monthly entitlements from the military as a retired Army General and former Head of State/President. Also, contrary to his claim of having only three houses on which he relies on the rental income of one of the houses in Kaduna to support his living expenses after leaving office, Buhari’s publicly known assets include five homes and two mud houses, as well as farms an orchard and a ranch with 270 head of cattle, 25 sheep, five horses and a variety of birds. Additionally, Buhari owns shares in three firms, two undeveloped plots of lands and bought two cars from his savings. Therefore, it is possible rental income only augments his other incomes.
PRNigeria, therefore, concludes that the claim that former President Muhammadu Buhari relies on rental income for his living expenses is misleading.
PRNigeria
