The death of former Nigerian president and military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, has reignited national debate over his complex and often polarizing legacy.
Buhari, who passed away in London on July 13, 2025, at the age of 82, leaves behind a deeply divided record of leadership marked by military rigidity, civilian reform promises and unfulfilled national expectations.
A Military Era Built on Fear and Control
Buhari first assumed power in 1983 following a military coup that ousted President Shehu Shagari. As Head of State from 1983 to 1985, he launched the infamous “War Against Indiscipline” (WAI), a nationwide campaign to restore order, curb corruption, and promote civic responsibility. The regime introduced queue culture enforcement, punctuality mandates, and harsh penalties for minor infractions.
What began as a push for social reform under Buhari’s military regime quickly descended into authoritarianism, marked by the jailing of journalists, suppression of civil liberties, and detention of politicians without fair trial. Despite his reputation for integrity, his government relied on decrees like Decree 2 and Decree 4 to silence dissent until it was overthrown by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1985 amid rising public dissatisfaction.
Return to Power with Democratic Legitimacy
After three failed attempts, Buhari returned to national prominence by winning the 2015 presidential election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent in Nigeria’s history.
The victory was seen as a public endorsement of his anti-corruption image and promise of security sector reform.
In office, Buhari introduced the Treasury Single Account (TSA), pursued high-profile anti-corruption cases, and attempted to revive local manufacturing through import restrictions. His administration also emphasized infrastructure development, including railways, roads, and power projects.
Yet, these reforms were undercut by persistent economic crises, including two recessions, soaring unemployment, capital flight, and rising public debt. Critics accused his government of lacking policy clarity and being slow in response to fiscal challenges.
A Strained Relationship with Civil Liberties
Despite being elected through democratic means, Buhari’s civilian presidency bore similarities to his military past. His administration faced backlash for the handling of the #EndSARS protests, during which peaceful demonstrators were violently dispersed.
In 2021, his government controversially suspended Twitter following the deletion of one of his tweets, raising alarms about freedom of expression.
Human rights groups frequently cited increased police brutality, lack of press freedom, and arbitrary arrests. Many observers likened his governance style to democratic authoritarianism, with strong executive control and minimal tolerance for opposition voices.
Security Failures and Regional Tensions
Though initially elected to combat terrorism and insecurity, Buhari struggled to contain escalating violence as Boko Haram, banditry, herder-farmer clashes, and kidnappings persisted throughout his tenure. Despite soaring security budgets, the military remained overstretched with little improvement in national safety.
Regional tensions also deepened, with accusations of ethnic favoritism and marginalization of certain groups. Despite efforts to promote unity, Buhari’s perceived northern bias fueled distrust in the southeast and other parts of the country.
Legacy of Contradictions
Buhari’s death closes a chapter on one of Nigeria’s most consequential and contradictory leaders. His personal discipline and reputation for incorruptibility earned him a loyal following, especially among older citizens nostalgic for order.
However, his inability to transform that discipline into effective democratic governance and inclusive growth exposed deep systemic weaknesses.
Buhari, though full of promises, delivered only partially, leaving behind a dual legacy of discipline without democracy and reform without results—a cautionary tale for future leaders to balance integrity with institutional strength and authority with accountability.
As the nation reflects on his life, Buhari’s impact will remain the subject of scholarly review, political debate, and public introspection for years to come.
