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The Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Muhammadu Buhari obituary
The soldier and politician Muhammadu Buhari, who has died aged 82, was both military dictator and, three decades later, democratically elected president of Nigeria. His reputation as a no-nonsense general gained him lasting popularity, but also much criticism, with charges of repression and human rights abuses, as well as failure to tackle the economy or jihadist terrorism. His election in 2015 was notable for being the first to unseat an incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan. However this success was also his fourth attempt. Buhari had secured millions of votes in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections, but fell short of the required voting margins partly because, as a Muslim from the north, who supported sharia law, he was unpopular in southern and central Nigeria. He finally succeeded in 2015 by marketing himself as a 'reformed democrat' and appointing a top clergyman from the country's biggest Pentecostal megachurch, Yemi Osinbajo, as his deputy. 'I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,' he said on his inauguration day, a quote that became his mantra. At 72, he was also the oldest person elected to the office in Nigeria, and that set the pace of his presidency, earning him the nickname 'Baba Go Slow'. In his first term, the goodwill began to dissipate after he took five months to appoint a cabinet and reintroduced the same economic policies from his military days. His 'hands-off' management style led to the view that others, in particular his nephews and chief of staff, were running the show. This was reinforced by a viral photo of Buhari picking his teeth in the presidential palace, and a 104-day absence on medical grounds in 2017, fuelling conspiracy theories that he had died and been replaced by a Sudanese body double. During his two-term tenure, Nigeria faced some of its worst security crises since the Biafran war (1967-70). Boko Haram – which Buhari had promised to crush – abducted, displaced and killed thousands of civilians, and split, as one faction became the Islamic West Africa Province. Still, his government claimed the jihadists had been 'technically defeated'. After the army shot peaceful protesters during anti-police brutality demonstrations in 2020 in Lagos, Buhari's national address days later ignored the killings entirely. By the time he left office in 2023, Nigeria, then Africa's largest economy, had slumped to two recessions in eight years, despite there being none in the two decades before. The naira became one of the worst performing global currencies, forcing the central bank to try unorthodox measures. One of those was cutting down trees in the capital Abuja so that streetside bureau de change operators would have no shade to do business under. Thousands of young people left the country in its biggest emigration wave in decades. Nevertheless, Buhari remained popular, especially in northern Nigeria, where many acknowledged the failure of his policies but blamed those around him. Born in Daura, in northern Nigeria, he was the son of Adamu and Zulaiha Buhari. After school in Katsina, at 19 he joined the army, and underwent training in the UK, at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot (1962-65). He was commissioned as a second lieutenant two years later and progressed through the ranks, serving as a minister in the military regime that ruled Nigeria from 1975 to 1979. His hardline character was spotted in April 1983 when, as a commanding officer of an armoured division, his troops pursued invading Chadian forces across the border disregarding orders by the then president Shehu Shagari. By 31 December, he had overthrown Shagari in a coup. Buhari and his never-smiling deputy, Tunde Idiagbon, emphasised anti-corruption and discipline under a 'war against indiscipline' campaign, which manifested itself as authoritarianism, press suppression and human rights abuses. In April 1985, for instance, three men were executed by firing squad for drug offences instead of the maximum six-month jail term, after a new decree was retroactively applied. Three months later came the 'Umaru Dikko affair': the attempted kidnapping of a former minister in London using a crate uncovered by British customs officials at Heathrow airport, which led to a breakdown in diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the UK. In August 1985 Buhari was ousted from office by another junta. He spent three years under house arrest, then led a relatively quiet life until democracy was restored in Nigeria in 2003, and he began his presidential campaigns. Following his 2011 election loss, Buhari said in a speech: 'If what happened in 2011 should happen again in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.' The remarks caused alarm given that post-election violence had already led to the deaths of more than 800 people. But his supporters framed it as a metaphor for resistance to electoral malpractice. In 2019, the popular Nigerian newspaper the Punch announced in an editorial that it would prefix Buhari's name with his military rank and refer to his administration as a 'regime' to protest about the government's 'serial disregard for human rights, court orders, and the battering of other arms of government and Nigeria's democratic institutions'. Buhari's spokesperson responded by saying that as he had earned the rank, the newspaper was free to use it, a 'testimony to press freedom in Nigeria'. After stepping down in 2023, Buhari confined himself mostly to his Daura home until he arrived in London for medical care. His first marriage, to Safinatu Yusuf, in 1971, ended in divorce. Buhari is survived by his second wife, Aisha (nee Halilu), whom he married in 1989, their son and four daughters, and three daughters from his first marriage (another daughter from that marriage predeceased him). Muhammadu Buhari, soldier and politician, born 17 December 1942; died 13 July 2025
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Nigeria's former president Muhammadu Buhari, 82, dies in London
Nigeria's former president Muhammadu Buhari, who led Africa's most populous country from 2015 to 2023 and was the first Nigerian president to oust an incumbent through the ballot box, died in London on Sunday, a presidential spokesman said. 'President Buhari died today in London … following a prolonged illness,' President Bola Tinubu's spokesman said in a statement. The spokesman said Tinubu had directed Vice-President Kashim Shettima and his chief of staff to travel to London to collect and accompany 82-year-old Buhari's body back to Nigeria for burial. A Muslim, Buhari was expected to be buried according to Muslim rites in his home state of northwestern Katsina, government officials said. Buhari first led the country as a military ruler after a coup in the 1980s. He earned a devoted following for his brand of anti-corruption conviction politics. He referred to himself as a 'converted democrat' and swapped his military uniform for kaftans and prayer caps.
CBC
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Muhammadu Buhari, who took power in Nigeria by both coup and ballot box, dead at 82
Former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, who led Africa's most populous country from 2015-23 and was the first Nigerian leader to oust an incumbent through the ballot box, died in London on Sunday, a presidential spokesperson said. "President Buhari died today in London at about 4:30 p.m., following a prolonged illness," President Bola Tinubu's spokesperson said in a post on social media platform X. Buhari, 82, who first led the country as a military ruler after a coup in the 1980s, earned a devoted following for his brand of anti-corruption conviction politics. He referred to himself as a "converted democrat" and swapped his military uniform for kaftans and prayer caps. "I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody," was a constant refrain Buhari told supporters and critics alike. Buhari defeated Goodluck Jonathan, who served as president from 2010-15, in what was judged to be Nigeria's fairest election to date. Many hoped the retired major-general would crack down on armed groups, just as he had as the country's military head of state. Instead, violence that had mostly been confined to the northeast spread. That left swaths of Nigeria outside the control of its stretched security forces as gunmen in the northwest, armed separatists and gangs in the southeast roamed unchecked. Much of Buhari's appeal lay in the anti-corruption ethos that was a central plank of his agenda both as a military and civilian ruler. He said endemic corruption in Nigeria's political culture was holding people back. But Buhari quickly disappointed after his 2015 win. He took six months to name his cabinet. During that time, the oil-dependent economy was hobbled by low crude prices, prompting people to call him "Baba Go Slow." His second victory in 2019 came despite his initial term being blighted by Nigeria's first recession in a generation, militant attacks on oilfields and repeated hospital stays. Born on Dec. 17, 1942, in Daura, in the northwestern state of Katsina, Buhari enrolled in the army at 19. He would eventually rise to the rank of major-general. He seized power in 1983 as a military ruler, promising to revitalize a mismanaged country. Buhari took a tough line on everything from the conditions sought by the International Monetary Fund to unruliness in bus lineups. In 1984, his administration attempted to kidnap a former minister and vocal critic living in Britain. The plot failed when London airport officials opened the crate containing the abducted politician. Buhari's first stint in power was short-lived. He was removed after only 18 months by another military officer, Ibrahim Babangida. He spent much of the following 30 years in fringe political parties and trying to run for president until his eventual victory over Jonathan in 2015.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Life and Times of Former Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari wey die for di age of 82
Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari, wey die at di age 82 na one former military ruler and self-styled converted democrat wey return to power through elections but struggle to convince Nigerians say e fit deliver on di change e promise. E no be natural politician, pipo see am as pesin wey dey difficult and pesin wey no send anybody. But e get reputation for personal honesty – one rare character of a politician for Nigeria. Afta three failed attempts, Buhari bin achieve ogbonge historic victory for 2015, as e become di kontri first opposition candidate to defeat incumbent. For 2019, e dey re-elected for anoda four-year term. Buhari bin always dey popular among di poor pipo wey dey north (wey dey known as di "talakawa" for Hausa language) but for di 2015 campaign, e bin get di advantage of one united opposition wey tanda strong for im side. Many of those wey support am bin reason say im military background and disciplinarian credentials na wetin di kontri need to handle di Islamist insurgency for di north. Buhari also bin promise to tackle corruption and nepotism for govment and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians. But im time for office bin happun di same time wen di prices of oil fall globally, and di time wen di kontri bin experience di worst economic crisis in decades. Im administration bin also come under fire sake of di way e take handle insecurity. While campaigning, e bin promise to defeat di Islamist militant group Boko Haram. But di group continue to be threat and one of dia factions now dey affiliated to di so-called Islamic State group. Di deadly clashes between farmers and ethnic Fulani herders for central Nigeria bin also rise well-well during im administration. Pipo accuse Oga Buhari, wey be Fulani, say e no dey tough enough on di herders and e no do enough to stop di crisis. Di activities of so-called bandits for di north-western part of di kontri bin see di abduction of hundreds of secondary school students. Under im watch, armed forces chop of human rights abuses - like opening fire on anti-police brutality protesters for di Lekki tollgate for Lagos for October 2020. Who be Muhammadu Buhari? Dem born Muhammadu Buhari for December 1942 for Daura for Katsina state for di far north of Nigeria, near di border wit Niger. At di time, na British dey control Nigeria, and e go be anoda 18 years bifor di kontri gain independence. Buhari father, wey die wen e be four, na Fulani, while im mother, wey raise am na Kanuri. For one 2012 interview, Buhari bin tok say im be im papa 23rd child and im mother 13th. E say im only recollection of im father na wen two of dem plus one of im half-brothers bin fall from di back of a horse. Di young Buhari attend primary school for Daura and then boarding school for di city of Katsina. Afta e comot school, dem admit am to di Nigerian Military Training College, e join di Nigerian army shortly afta independence. Buhari do officer training for UK from 1962-1963 and then begin im steady climb up di ranks. In later years, Buhari bin attribute im disciplinarian to di years wey e spend for boarding school, wia corporal punishment na normal tin, and for di military. E dey "lucky" to experience dat kain tough environments, wey teach am to work hard, e tok. For 1966, one military coup and then counter-coup happun for Nigeria - na time of confusion for army officers but Buhari bin always maintain say im be junior and no fit play any significant role for di coup. Less dan 10 years later, under one military government, Buhari don rise to become military govnor of di north-east, one area wey no pass six states then. Afta less dan one year, dem promote Buhari, now for im mid-30s again to federal commissioner for petroleum and natural resources (in effect oil minister) for 1976 under Olusegun Obasanjo for im first term as Nigerian head of state. Indiscipline and corruption By 1978, Buhari, then don become colonel, bin return to be military commander. Im tough stance in 1983 - wen Chadian sojas bin take ova some Nigerian islands for Lake Chad - still dey remembered for di north-east, afta e blockade di area and pursue di invaders. Di end of 1983 bin see anoda coup, against elected President Shehu Shagari, and Buhari, wey now be major-general, become di kontri military ruler. According to im own account, e no dey part of those wey plot di coup, but dem install am (and subsequently discarded) by those wey hold di real power and need figurehead. Oda accounts suggest say e play more active role in removing Shagari pass wetin e dey willing to admit. Buhari bin rule for 20 months, period pipo remember for campaign against indiscipline and corruption, as well as for human rights abuses. Dem jail about 500 politicians, officials and businessmen as part of one campaign against waste and corruption. Some see dis as heavy-handed repression of military rule. Odas remember am as a praiseworthy attempt to fight di endemic corruption wey dey hold back Nigeria development. Buhari retain one rare reputation for honesty among Nigeria politicians, both military and civilian, largely bicos of dis campaign. As part of im "war against indiscipline", e bin order Nigerians to form neat queues for bus stops, under di sharp eyes sojas wey carry cain. Civil servants wey resume late for work bin dey publicly humiliated as sojas force dem to do frog jumps. Some of im measures fit dey seen as merely eccentric. But odas bin dey genuinely oppressive, like one decree to restrict press freedom, under which dem jail journalists. Buhari government also lock up Nigeria greatest musical hero, Fela Kuti – wey be thorn for di side of successive leaders – fake charges wey relate to currency exports. Buhari attempt to re-balance di public finances by reducing imports bin lead to many job losses plus di closure of businesses. As part of im anti-corruption measures, e also order say make dem change di currency – dem change di colour of di naira notes – and force everybody wey get di old notes to exchange dem for banks within a limited period. Prices bin rise while living standards fall, and for August 1985, dem remove Buhari from office and imprison am for 40 months. Army chief Gen Ibrahim Babangida bin take ova. Historic election victory Afta dem release am and, e say, aft aim don see di consequences of di break-up of di Soviet Union, Buhari bin decide to join party politics, now convinced of di virtues of multiparty democracy and free and fair elections. Despite dis, Buhari dey always defend di 1983 coup, e tok for 2005: "Di military come in wen e dey absolutely necessary and di pipo wey dey elected fail di kontri." E also reject accusations say im measures against journalists plus odas bin go too far, e insist say im only dey apply di laws wey odas dey break. Dem elect am as president for 2015, e become di first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent since di return of multiparty democracy for 1999. As president, Buhari bin make a virtue of im "incorruptibility", as e declare im relatively modest wealth and e say e bin "reject several past opportunities" to enrich himself. By nature, e dey tok slowly, wey sometimes dey play well for for di media and sometimes badly. Although few pipo doubt im personal commitment to fighting corruption and plenty notable scalps dey ground. Some question weda di structures wey dey enable mismanagement bin dey really reformed. And attempts to improve youth employment prospects, at best, na work in progress. 'Bag of rice' On di day Buhari comot office, dem ask some Nigerians for one video wey bin go viral on social media, wetin dem go remember most about im time for office, and all respondents tok di same thing: 'Bag of rice'. Di reason dey simple - rice na di most common food for di kontri. A standard 50kg (110lb) bag of rice, wey fit help feed a household of between eight and 10 for about one month, cost just 7,500 naira ($5; £3) under President Goodluck Jonathan, wey Buhari defeat for 2015, but e go up to 60,000 naira few years afta. Dis bin lead to hunger for many parts of di kontri. Di huge increase for di price of rice na sake of say e ban di importation of rice to encourage more Nigerian farmers to grow di crop. However, local producers no fit meet di high demand and many of im supporters bin lost dia faith in him. Ismail Danyaro, one resident of di northern city of Kano, bin tok say im support Buhari since e first contest di presidency for 2003. "I dey buy 50kg bag of rice under Goodluck [Jonathan] but wen Buhari cme, I find am difficult to buy even 25kg bag of rice bicos e dey so expensive," e tell BBC. At one point, even Buhari wife bin threaten say she no go support im re-election bid. 'Baba go slow' Nigerians love nicknames and some of di kontri leaders nicknames bin stick even long afta e comot office. For example, Nigerians still dey call former military leader Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida "Maradona" for wetin pipo see as im tactical dribbles on issues and situations. For Buhari, na "Baba [Father] go slow" afta e take am six months to name im first cabinet afta e enta office for 2015. Reacting to im nickname years later, Buhari say no be im fault say e take so long to get anything done. "Yes, we dey slow bicos di system dey slow. No be Baba dey slow but na di system, so I dey go by dis system and I hope we go make am," e tok for 2018. Nigerian politics for 2022-2023 na still one of d most interesting for di kontri democratic history. For di minds of many, na di first time wey a sitting president wasn't ro go dey really bothered about who go be im successor. Openly, Buhari bin declare say im go support whoever win im party (All Progressives Congress) nomination but insiders say behind di scenes, e no wetin im dey do. Buhari body language bin show say e dey in support of all di five candidates wey dey find di APC endorsement. Dia supporters bin dey go round wit di tok say dem get im backing. At one point, e bin look like say Buhari oppose di candidacy of im eventual successor, Bola Tinubu. Wetin follow na di declaration of di "naira swap policy" wey di Buhari administration announce, plus oda tins, go reduce di influence of money for di 2023 elections. Many Nigerians believe say di policy bin dey targeted to stop Tinubu from becoming president even though na im dem choose as di APC candidate. Di policy bin involve di confiscation of trillions of old naira notes and dia replacement wit new notes for di highest denominations. However, plenty new notes no dey wey lead to shortages and suffering by millions, particularly di less privileged wey dey rely on cash for dia daily transactions. Dem only suspend di policy afta one Supreme Court ruling, just days bifor di election. Tinubu win narrowly, wit 37% of votes cast, as di opposition bin dey divided. Any assessment of Buhari presidency must take account im declining health, wey cause am to take significant absences from work, especially during im first term. Di former military ruler fit don reinvent himself as a democrat but commitment to transparency concerning im own health bin dey coded, as Nigerians no dey informed about di fitness of dia head of state for office. Muhammadu Buhari marry two times, first to Safinatu Yusuf from 1971-1988, and then for 1989 to Aisha Halilu, wey survive am. E get 10 children.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Nigeria's former president Muhammadu Buhari dies in London aged 82
The former president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has died aged 82 in London, his press secretary said Sunday. He led Africa's most populous nation twice: first as a military head of state from 1983 to 1985, then as a democratically elected president from 2015-2023. Buhari had been receiving medical treatment in London in recent weeks, and had often travelled to London in the past for medical attention. He was the first president to defeat a sitting president when he was elected in 2015, overseeing the country's worst economic period and fight against insurgency. Married twice, Buhari had ten children.
