General Muhammadu Buhari, former President of Nigeria, who died aged 82. He had been fighting a long-term illness and passed away in London. His death marks the end of a significant chapter in Nigeria’s political history, characterized by his unique position as a leader who sought to rise above the country’s entrenched political factions. Buhari, a retired major general, first ruled Nigeria in the 1980s following another military coup. He later returned to power as the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election in 2015, unseating then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan.
Buhari’s first term was heavy on vision and light on execution—from grand security and anti-corruption promises, to his own re-election campaign in 2019. He famously declared, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,” positioning himself as a unifying figure amid Nigeria’s political divisions. Yet even as new hope glimmered in the presidential wake, many were disappointed with his administration’s management of urgent challenges.
A Contentious Legacy
Buhari’s time in office as a austere legacy – a double-edged blade complete with positive effects and woes. He will be remembered for his successful anti-corruption drive and his commitment to restoring peace to a nation long torn by violence. In spite of this, many find his record on security to be profoundly disappointing. What was shocking was that armed violence didn’t just continue, but expanded to other areas beyond the northeast quarters where Boko Haram ruled mostly.
Alexis Akwagyiram remarked on Buhari’s security record: “All that happened was Boko Haram and ISWAP both proliferated under his tenure.” Critics argue that despite Buhari’s promise to defeat Boko Haram, violence escalated during his presidency, raising questions about the effectiveness of his policies.
His economic management drew significant criticism. As Akwagyiram reflected, “His management of the economy was poor. Rather than devalue the naira, Buhari preferred to push the strong naira agenda, creating Nigeria’s famous confused conga line of multiple exchange rates. This approach resulted in two recessions during his first term. Consequently, his critics cast him as “very ineffective” in handling Nigeria’s economy.
A Symbol of Democratic Change
Yet even with so many challenges, Buhari is still remembered as a democratic change-maker in Nigeria, represented as such even on his deathbed. His election victory in 2015 was a watershed moment for the country. It was the first time an opposition candidate had ousted a sitting president since the country’s return to civilian rule. In this context, this achievement was celebrated as a major milestone in Nigeria’s fledgling democratic path.
His austere image and incendiary rhetoric towards corrupt politicians allowed Buhari to build an uncommon and potent national coalition. This diverse coalition not only got him elected to the presidency one time, but two. To his supporters, he seemed like a reformer, intent on shaking up Nigeria’s political establishment. But soon enough, as his administration went on, most started doubting whether the fundamental change he promised was ever really achieved.
The Impact of Buhari’s Leadership
Buhari bequeaths a dangerous balance of progress and setbacks. While he made strides in promoting democratic principles and fighting corruption, critics argue that he fell short on crucial issues such as security and economic stability. His style of leadership and choice of decisions has continued to generate serious discussions among Nigerians on which direction their country ought to go.
