By Mudiaga Affe
The life of Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former Head of State and two-term civilian President, who passed away in a London clinic yesterday, was marked by a rare duality—military steel and civilian stoicism.
To some, he was the incorruptible disciplinarian the nation needed; to others, he was a rigid autocrat out of touch with modern democratic expectations. Yet, few can deny that Buhari left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political evolution, from his early military exploits to his tumultuous but consequential eight years as an elected president.
Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari was the 23rd child of his father, Adamu Bafallaje. Raised by his mother after his father’s death when he was just four years old, young Buhari imbibed values of discipline and self-reliance early in life.
After secondary school at Katsina Provincial School, he joined the Nigerian Military Training College in 1961 and received further training in the UK, US, and India.
He climbed through the ranks with distinction, serving in various strategic military and administrative positions, including Governor of the North-Eastern State and Borno, as well as a Federal Commissioner of Petroleum and Natural Resources from 1976 to 1978, among others.
On December 31, 1983, Buhari led a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of President Shehu Shagari. His justification was Nigeria’s pervasive corruption and economic chaos. He launched the War Against Indiscipline (WAI), an austere and often severe campaign to reform public behaviour and punish graft.
Though many citizens supported his anti-corruption zeal, Buhari’s regime was accused of heavy-handedness, draconian decrees, and press muzzling. His overthrow in 1985 by General Ibrahim Babangida marked the end of his first taste of national power.
Following his detention and eventual retirement from the military, Buhari maintained a relatively low profile before re-emerging as a key political actor.
His first bid for the presidency came in 2003 under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He lost but persisted, contesting again in 2007 and 2011.
His political breakthrough came in 2015 when he became the rallying figure of a coalition that birthed the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The merger brought together diverse opposition interests and culminated in the historic defeat of then-President Goodluck Jonathan—the first time an incumbent Nigerian president lost at the polls.
Buhari assumed office in May 2015 to great public enthusiasm. Nigerians expected swift action on security, corruption, and the economy. But his early presidency was slowed not only by policy delays but also by a battle with his health that remained largely shrouded in secrecy.
By early 2017, it became increasingly clear that Buhari’s health was failing. He was absent from public functions for extended periods, and speculation swirled around the state of his condition.
In January 2017, the President announced he was taking a 10-day leave for medical treatment in the UK. That trip extended to nearly two months. He returned briefly, only to go back to London in May 2017 for another prolonged medical leave that lasted over 100 days—sparking widespread anxiety and political tension.
During these absences, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo acted as President in an arrangement that tested the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the trust of the public. Yet, the exact nature of his ailment was never disclosed, leading to intense speculation, from cancer to organ failure, none officially confirmed.
Despite his frailty, Buhari soldiered on, visibly thinner and quieter, often delegating primary functions while projecting an image of stability. His physical health remained a concern throughout his two terms, with intermittent medical trips abroad, even in his final year in office.
These episodes not only disrupted governance but raised questions about transparency in leadership and Nigeria’s overreliance on foreign medical services.
Buhari’s presidency had its wins. Initiatives like the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Bank Verification Number (BVN) enforcement, and the whistle-blower policy improved transparency. Programmes such as the N-Power scheme and school feeding programmes reached millions.
However, he faced sharp criticism for failing to contain insecurity. Boko Haram remained a deadly force, banditry and kidnappings spread across the North West and Middle Belt, and separatist agitations in the South-East intensified. Many also accused his administration of nepotism, poor economic management, and intolerance to dissent.
The economy suffered two recessions under his watch; inflation and food prices soared, and millions slipped into poverty. His government’s handling of the #EndSARS protests in 2020—particularly the military’s response to demonstrators at the Lekki Tollgate—further eroded his human rights credentials.
After serving his constitutionally allowed two terms, Buhari handed over power to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2023. He retired to Daura, expressing no intention of interfering in national politics. His post-presidency years were largely quiet, though he occasionally issued statements on national issues.
Yet, whether loved or loathed, Buhari’s story is undeniably central to Nigeria’s post-independence journey, from soldiering in the bush to governing in the boardrooms of Aso Rock.
As the nation prepares to lay him to rest today in his hometown in Daura, it also begins to reflect: What kind of leader was Buhari, and what lessons does his life offer for the future?
May Allah grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
