Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Dies at 82
London, UK – Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has died at the age of 82 in a London clinic. A prominent figure in Nigeria’s political and military history, Buhari was a former military ruler who later reinvented himself as a democratic leader, returning to power through the ballot box after several unsuccessful attempts.
Austere and reserved, Buhari was widely regarded as personally incorruptible—an attribute that earned him admiration among many Nigerians, particularly the poor in the country’s northern region. However, his time in office was marred by economic struggles, worsening insecurity, and allegations of human rights abuses.
A Historic Political Journey
Buhari made history in 2015 by becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president in Nigeria. After three failed attempts, he ascended to power with strong backing from a united opposition and widespread support among the northern masses, known as the talakawa in Hausa.
Running on promises to combat corruption, create jobs, and end the Boko Haram insurgency, Buhari’s leadership came at a time when global oil prices were tumbling, triggering one of Nigeria’s worst economic crises in decades. In 2019, he was re-elected for a second term.
Despite early optimism, Buhari’s administration struggled to meet expectations. Boko Haram and its offshoots continued their reign of terror in the northeast, while kidnapping and banditry surged in the northwest. Deadly conflicts between farmers and Fulani herders escalated in the central region, raising accusations of bias due to Buhari’s Fulani heritage.
Military Past and Coup Legacy
Born in December 1942 in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari joined the Nigerian Army shortly after independence in 1960. He trained in the United Kingdom and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a military governor and later, the federal commissioner for petroleum under General Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1970s.
In December 1983, following a military coup, Buhari assumed power as Nigeria’s head of state. His regime was defined by a strict “War Against Indiscipline,” which included public punishments for lateness and enforced orderliness in public spaces. While he jailed hundreds of politicians and businessmen for corruption, he was also criticized for suppressing press freedom and civil liberties.
Among the most controversial acts of his military rule was the jailing of legendary Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti on questionable currency charges and the enactment of decrees that curtailed media freedom.
In 1985, Buhari was overthrown by General Ibrahim Babangida and imprisoned for 40 months.
From Dictator to Politics
After his release, Buhari transitioned into party politics, convinced of the value of democratic governance. He contested presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011, before his landmark victory in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While he pledged to rid Nigeria of corruption and strengthen security, critics argued that systemic reforms were limited. Youth unemployment remained high, and many Nigerians accused the administration of selective anti-corruption prosecutions.
His government was also accused of human rights violations, notably during the military crackdown on protesters at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos in 2020. The #EndSARS movement, which drew global attention, highlighted growing frustrations with police brutality and governance under Buhari.
Economic Policies and Rising Hardship
Buhari’s decision to ban rice imports in a bid to promote local agriculture backfired when domestic producers failed to meet demand. The price of a 50kg bag of rice surged from ₦7,500 under his predecessor to ₦60,000, pushing millions into food insecurity.
The economic hardship became so widespread that some citizens, when asked what they remembered most about his presidency, replied simply: “Bag of rice.”
Leadership Style and Legacy
Nicknamed “Baba Go Slow” for his cautious approach and delays in policy implementation, Buhari once attributed the sluggish pace of his government to Nigeria’s bureaucratic system. “It’s not Baba that is slow, it is the system,” he said in 2018.
His health became a growing concern during his presidency, with extended absences from office in his first term. The lack of transparency about his medical condition frustrated citizens who were often left in the dark about the state of the nation’s leadership.
In the lead-up to the 2023 elections, Buhari’s ambiguous stance on his party’s candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sparked speculation. His administration’s controversial naira swap policy—implemented just weeks before the vote—was seen by many as a tactic to undermine Tinubu’s chances. The resulting cash shortages caused widespread suffering, especially among the poor.
Tinubu eventually won the presidency with just 37% of the vote in a highly contested election.
Personal Life and Final Years
Buhari was married twice—first to Safinatu Yusuf (1971–1988) and later to Aisha Halilu, who survives him. He was a father to 10 children.
Despite his mixed legacy, Buhari remains a pivotal figure in Nigeria’s post-independence history. His journey from military strongman to elected president, and his personal reputation for integrity, continue to shape public discourse on leadership and governance in Nigeria.
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