History of presidents Muhammadu Buhari

 

History of presidents Muhammadu Buhari

History of presidents Muhammadu Buhari

Born: December 17, 1942

State of Origin: Katsina State, Nigeria

Profession: Military officer, politician

🇳🇬 1. Military Head of State (1983–1985)

Came to power: Through a military coup on December 31, 1983, which overthrew the democratically elected government of President Shehu Shagari.

Position: Head of State (Military ruler of Nigeria)

Tenure: January 1, 1984 – August 27, 1985

Regime Focus:

Anti-corruption

War Against Indiscipline (WAI)

Austerity and economic reform

Heavy censorship and strict discipline

Removed from office: By another military coup led by General Ibrahim Babangida in August 1985

🗳️ 2. Democratic Presidential Campaigns

❌ Failed Attempts

2003 – Contested under ANPP (All Nigeria Peoples Party) → lost to Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP)

2007 – Again ran under ANPP → lost to Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (PDP)

2011 – Ran under CPC (Congress for Progressive Change) → lost to Goodluck Jonathan (PDP)

✅ Victory

2015 – Formed APC (All Progressives Congress) from a merger of opposition parties

Won the 2015 presidential election by defeating incumbent Goodluck Jonathan

Became the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president in Nigeria

🇳🇬 3. Democratic President of Nigeria (2015–2023)

First Term: May 29, 2015 – May 29, 2019

Vice President: Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

Focus Areas:

Anti-corruption war

Security (fight against Boko Haram)

Economic reforms

Social intervention programs

Challenges:

Economic recession (2016)

Health issues and prolonged medical trips to the UK

Second Term: May 29, 2019 – May 29, 2023

Vice President: Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

Policies Continued:

Infrastructure (railways, roads, airports)

Anchor Borrowers Programme for agriculture

Petroleum Industry Act signed into law (2021)

Criticisms:

Insecurity (banditry, kidnapping)

Human rights concerns

Economic hardship (inflation, unemployment, naira devaluation)

📌 Post-Presidency

Handed over: Peacefully transferred power to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023

Legacy: A mixed legacy of strong anti-corruption rhetoric and infrastructure growth, but also marked by economic struggles and security issues

📚 Summary Timeline:

Year Position Notes

1983–1985 Military Head of State Overthrew Shagari govt

2003 Presidential candidate (ANPP) Lost to Obasanjo

2007 Presidential candidate (ANPP) Lost to Yar’Adua

2011 Presidential candidate (CPC) Lost to Jonathan

2015–2019 President (APC, 1st term) Defeated Jonathan

2019–2023 President (APC, 2nd term) Reelected

2023 Retired from politics Handed over to Tinubu

⚔️ Military Leadership (1983–1985)

📌 Context:

Nigeria was facing widespread corruption, economic mismanagement, and political instability under President Shagari.

Buhari and other senior military officers staged a coup on December 31, 1983.

🛠️ Key Policies and Actions:

War Against Indiscipline (WAI):

Promoted orderliness, punctuality, and national values.

Enforced through military-style discipline in public institutions and society.

Anti-Corruption Drive:

Arrested and jailed many politicians and public officials.

Some were held without proper trial or under questionable conditions.

Austerity Measures:

Imposed tough economic controls.

Banned certain imports, reduced government spending.

Media Censorship & Repression:

Journalists were jailed.

Criticism of the government was not tolerated.

📉 Criticism:

Authoritarian governance

Human rights abuses

Harsh laws and detentions without trial

Ignored due process

🗳️ Democratic Leadership (2015–2023)

Buhari became Nigeria’s civilian president through democratic elections—first in 2015, re-elected in 2019.

✅ Strengths and Achievements:

1. Anti-Corruption War:

Created the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC)

Empowered EFCC and ICPC to investigate high-profile cases

Recovered billions in looted funds (including Abacha loot)

2. Infrastructure Development:

Construction of rail lines (Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna)

Road and bridge projects across Nigeria

Second Niger Bridge completed

Upgrades to airports and seaports

3. Social Welfare Programs:

N-Power: Youth employment scheme

TraderMoni, MarketMoni: Small-scale business support

School Feeding Program: For millions of children

4. Agricultural Initiatives:

Anchor Borrowers Programme: Supported rice, maize, and cassava farming

Banned rice importation to boost local production

5. Petroleum Sector Reform:

Passed the Petroleum Industry Act (2021) after 20 years of delay

❌ Major Criticisms:

1. Insecurity:

Boko Haram remained active in the northeast

Rise in banditry, kidnappings, and herder-farmer clashes

Many Nigerians felt unsafe despite increased military spending

2. Economic Challenges:

Recession in 2016 and 2020

High inflation, food price hikes

Naira devaluation

Rising debt profile

Youth unemployment rose above 30%

3. Human Rights and Governance:

#EndSARS protests in 2020 met with violence

Media repression and Twitter ban in 2021

Critics described his style as distant and slow in decision-making (“Baba Go Slow”)

📜 Leadership Style:

Disciplined and austere: Reflected his military background

Reserved and quiet: Rarely made public appearances or spontaneous speeches

Delegator: Relied heavily on ministers and aides

Nationalistic and conservative: Promoted traditional values and religious conservatism

🏁 Legacy (Mixed Reviews)

✅ Positive Legacy:

First Nigerian to serve as both military and democratic leader

Infrastructure growth across regions

Anti-corruption institutional reforms

Peaceful handover of power to Bola Tinubu in 2023

❌ Controversial Legacy:

Worsened insecurity in some regions

Economic difficulties worsened poverty

Accused of ethnic favoritism in appointments (Northern dominance)

Declining press freedom

🧠 Summary: Buhari’s Leadership in a Nutshell

Attribute Military Era (1983–1985) Civilian Era (2015–2023)

Style Tough, authoritarian Cautious, bureaucratic

Focus Discipline, anti-corruption Infrastructur

e, security, economy

Successes Order, discipline Railways, power, welfare programs

Failures Repression, no democracy Insecurity, economic hardship