Remembering Muhammadu Buhari: Nigeria’s military strongman turned democratic leader

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former military ruler and two-term civilian president, passed away on Sunday at a hospital in London, following an undisclosed illness. He was 82.

The announcement marks the end of a long and complex political career that spanned military coups, historic democratic transitions, and efforts to reposition Africa’s most populous country through turbulence and reform.

Here are nine key insights into understanding his legacy.

1. Military roots and early rule
   Muhammadu Buhari’s rise to leadership began as a military officer. He seized power in a 1983 coup that ousted the civilian government, becoming the country’s head of state. He had a short lived regime (1983-1985) that ended in another coup. But his 20-month rule became popular for its strict anti-corruption campaign and push for discipline within public institutions, according the Nigerian media reports.

2. Anti-corruption drive with mixed impact
   His military government detained around 500 politicians and officials in a crackdown on corruption. While he received praise for tackling deep-rooted graft, his administration also came under criticism for authoritarian measures that included restrictions on the press and human rights abuses.

3. Transition to democracy and historic election win
   Buhari’s transition to civilian politics included three failed attempts at becoming president at the polls. In 2015, he won on the fourth try, a historic feat that saw he him become the first opposition candidate to unseat an incumbent since the country’s return to democracy in 1999. He won again in 2019, before handing over to the current president Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023.

4. Economic challenges amid global headwinds
   During his time as a democratically elected leader, Buhari’s presidency coincided with a slump in global oil prices, Nigeria’s main export, triggering the worst economic recession in decades. His administration struggled to diversify the economy and address rising unemployment and inflation.

5. Security concerns persisted
   Buhari vowed to defeat Boko Haram and improve national security as part of his presidential campaign. But while Boko Haram was "technically defeated" with swaths of territory recovered, insurgency and violence spread during his tenure. Clashes between farmers and Fulani herders escalated. Banditry also grew, leading to mass kidnappings that raised concerns about Nigeria’s security apparatus, according to multiple news reports.

6. Policy controversies and public perception
   Buhari’s ban on rice imports aimed to boost local agriculture. But it backfired as domestic production failed to meet demand. This caused food prices to soar. His slow decision-making earned him the nickname “Baba Go Slow,” highlighting frustrations with governance delays.

7. Health and transparency Issues
   Buhari’s health also raised concerns because of frequent absences and limited disclosure about his condition. These concerns centered around leadership continuity and transparency in governance, according to official statements and media analysis.

8. Legacy of integrity amid polarization
   Buhari maintained a reputation for incorruptibility which was rare among Nigerian politicians. However, his tenure also came under scrutiny over human rights violations, including the deadly 2020 crackdown on protesters at Lagos’s Lekki tollgate, as reported by human rights organizations and international press.

9. Personal background and passing
   Born in 1942 in Daura, northern Nigeria, Buhari had a long military career before he joined politics. Married twice, he fathered ten children. His death in London follows weeks of undisclosed illness, with plans to return his body to Nigeria for Muslim funeral rites, according to a spokesperson for the Nigerian presidency.

A seven-day national mourning has been declared in his honour, with Tuesday declared as a public holiday.

The Katsina state government declared Monday a work free day to allow workers and residents of Buhari’s home state mourn the late leader.