A poignant chapter in Nigerian history closed Sunday with the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The presidency announced Buhari, eighty-two, died in London following a prolonged illness.
Current President Bola Tinubu confirmed his predecessor’s passing at approximately 4:30 pm local time. Buhari led Nigeria as both a military strongman and an elected democrat.
Buhari’s political journey spanned decades, including a military rule in the 1980s. He later served two terms as a “converted democrat” from 2015 to 2023.
President Tinubu lauded Buhari’s commitment to public service and anti-corruption efforts. Critics, however, argue his tenure failed to resolve deep-seated issues like poverty and violence. The late president’s frequent medical trips to Britain sparked transparency concerns.
During one absence in 2017, his spokesman reportedly fabricated a story about rats. This was a deliberate attempt to deflect attention from Buhari’s health issues. The 2015 election marked a historic moment for Nigeria. Despite high hopes, Buhari’s leadership struggled with economic woes and persistent jihadist violence.
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie described his tenure as “a failure of leadership.” The government’s temporary suspension of Twitter in 2021 also drew international criticism. Condolences arrived globally, honoring Buhari’s complex legacy.