Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Passes Away at 82
Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari died in London at the age of 82 on Sunday, following what the office of current President Bola Tinubu referred to as a “long-term illness.”
Buhari first came to power in December 1983 through a military coup that ousted President Shehu Shagari. Shagari had been the first civilian leader in a system based on the US Constitution, designed to maintain civilian governance and avoid military rule. Unfortunately, that structure lasted only about four years.
As a ruler, Buhari was known for his strong-handed approach to governance, striving to enforce “discipline” in a country often marred by corruption among its political elites. For instance, during a period of civil unrest, he deployed soldiers in urban areas to restore order among the public waiting for transportation. Notably, government officials faced severe consequences, including military drills if they reported to work late, and the death penalty was expanded to cover a range of crimes.
In 1984, Buhari’s regime attempted to bring a former Shagari official, Umaru Dikko, back to Nigeria after he was accused of embezzling funds. The plan involved abducting Dikko from his home in London, but it failed when British customs officials intervened, leading to a chaotic scene that included Nigerian diplomats and law enforcement.
“Mr. Buhari could be a tough guy with an iron will,” commented Nigerian historian Max Saiorun. However, others note that he inherited substantial public goodwill yet squandered it, leaving behind a legacy of missed opportunities and growing inequality.
Over the years, Buhari faced numerous challenges, including being ousted from power in a subsequent coup and later attempts to regain control. He finally succeeded in 2015 when he became the first opposition candidate to win a free election—a historic moment for Nigeria.
Despite high hopes, Buhari’s presidency was fraught with issues. He took a long time to appoint key figures, and during his tenure, Nigeria experienced its first official recession of the century. His governance style, initially portrayed as a strong anti-corruption stance, ended up being criticized for fostering unemployment and worsening the economic situation.
Buhari’s promise to make staples like rice affordable ironically saw prices soar during his term. Many Nigerians initially supported him, believing that he could tackle violent groups and insurgencies like Boko Haram. However, these issues escalated under his watch, along with conflicts between farmers and the Fulani herdsmen.
Internationally, Buhari faced scrutiny and embarrassment; in a notable instance, former President Donald Trump bluntly asked him about the killings of Christians in Nigeria during a White House visit. Critics accused Buhari of downplaying the religious angles of the violence, which often saw Christians attacked, while defending the actions of his own ethnic group, the Fulani.
Another dark chapter of his administration came with the military’s deadly raid on Shia Muslims in December 2015, which has since been referred to by many as the “Buhari Massacre.” In 2020, widespread protests against police brutality led to violence, with Buhari labeling demonstrators as “rioters” and insisting they threatened national security. Unfortunately, several civilians lost their lives in the police crackdown.
