Sema Fonkem 13/07/2025

Two-time leader of Nigeria and “converted democrat” Muhammadu Buhari has died at the age of 82 while in London for routine medical check-up.

Buhari first came to power after he led a military coup that overthrew president Shehu Shagari in 1983 then later in 2015 after defeating Goodluck Jonathan and winning the 2019 elections.

It is one thing to die in a foreign country as a president while on vacation or a working trip but it is shameful for a president from a country like Nigeria that is worth trillions of dollars in crude oil alone to die in London while seeking medical attention. This is the sentiment shared by many Nigerians and all concerned of the ongoing corruption in majority of African countries.

Buhari was born in Daura, northwestern state of Katsina on December 17 1942. He attended primary school in Daura and then boarding school in the city of Katsina. After finishing school, he was admitted to the Nigerian Military Training College and joined the Nigerian army shortly after independence.

Buhari underwent the Cadets training at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England from 1962 to 1963 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in January 1963. He also attended the Nigerian Military College in Kaduna for the Platoon Commanders’ Course from 1963 to 1964 and began climbing up the ranks thereafter.

When Buhari came to power in 2015, 300 girls had just been kidnapped in the northeastern town of Chibok. His promise to combat terrorism and kidnappings for ransom met a huge blow as kidnappings and Boko Haram activities became more rampant during his mandate.

In 2020, demonstrators who were protesting against police brutality were gunned down at Lekki tollgate in Lagos and this caused several weeks of unrest. Buhari’s government was condemned for slow response and lack of effective resolution strategy.

Under Buhari’s leadership, crude oil export prices dropped to the lowest in 2022. His desire to develop Nigeria through the construction of dams, roads, airports, railway lines and other infrastructures was never realised. His fight against corruption saw very little high-profile convictions. .

When Buhari was president, the price of a 50kg bag of rice increased rapidly from 7,500.00 Naira to 60,000.00 Naira between 2015 to 2022.

In 2022, Buhari also redesigned Naira notes and forced holders of old notes to exchange within a limited period. Changes on the banknotes cost Nigerian government a fortune and loss of money for many citizens.

In 1984, Buhari’s government jailed legendary Afrobeat musician and activist Fela Kuti on false charges of Naira currency smuggling.

In 2016, while speaking to BBC, late Buhari’s wife Aisha Buhari made it clear that she wont be giving further support to Buhari’s re-election. Buhari responded by saying that his wife belonged to the kitchen.

“I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room,” Buhari said while standing next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a news conference.

With so many controversies surrounding Muhammadu Buhari’s personality and leadership, It is difficult to find any Nigerian citizen who has something positive to say about him and social media is flooded with celebrations over his passing.

He was succeeded by incumbent president Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29 2023.