Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former president and a towering figure in the country’s military and democratic history, died Sunday in London at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness. Buhari first rose to prominence in 1983 when he seized power through a military coup. Though his authoritarian regime was short-lived—toppled less than two years later—his no-nonsense image stuck with many Nigerians. More than three decades later, he returned as a democratically elected leader in 2015, becoming the first opposition candidate to win the presidency.
His presidency, which lasted until 2023, was marked by high hopes but ultimately left mixed legacies. He came to power promising to crush corruption and defeat Boko Haram. While there were successes—like the negotiated release of some Chibok schoolgirls—many Nigerians felt betrayed as insecurity worsened, economic troubles deepened, and corruption remained rampant. President Bola Tinubu, in a statement, hailed Buhari as “a patriot, a soldier, and a statesman,” and dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to oversee the return of Buhari’s body from London.
Yet reactions across the nation were far from unanimous. Political analyst Afolabi Adekaiyaoja noted, “The divided response to Buhari’s death reflects his polarizing legacy and the difficulties of uniting Nigeria.” During his two terms, Buhari grappled with a deepening economic crisis, two recessions, and a weakening currency. His unorthodox monetary policies, heavy reliance on foreign borrowing, and controversial fuel subsidy reforms left the economy struggling. Meanwhile, his frequent medical trips abroad—often shrouded in secrecy—fueled public frustration. Buhari’s tenure was also marred by allegations of authoritarianism. His administration was accused of cracking down on dissent, notably during the 2020 End SARS protests when security forces reportedly opened fire on demonstrators calling for an end to police brutality.
Though he claimed democratic credentials in later years, his critics often pointed to his military past. As a general in the 1980s, Buhari ruled with an iron fist—executing drug traffickers, detaining journalists without trial, and launching a “war against indiscipline” that saw tardy civil servants doing squats as punishment. He had once vowed to introduce Sharia law nationwide—a comment that haunted him during his civilian rule and fueled suspicion in Nigeria’s religiously divided population. Despite the controversy, Buhari maintained a strong following, especially in Nigeria’s north, where he was seen as a figure of integrity. But by the time he left office, even some loyalists had grown disillusioned. Muhammadu Buhari leaves behind a complicated legacy—one that spans military dictatorship and democratic rule, discipline and repression, reform and regression. His death marks the end of a defining era in Nigerian politics.
