Buhari’s Eight Years: A Legacy of Wasted Leadership

Muhammadu Buhari’s journey from military head of state to civilian president spanned decades, yet his legacy remains deeply controversial. Overthrown in a coup by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Buhari spent years in private life, famously tending to his 150 cows. His early attempts to return to power through democratic means were thwarted by General Olusegun Obasanjo, another former military leader who later became a two-term civilian president.

Unlike Obasanjo, who remained active after leaving office—writing books, giving speeches, and engaging in national and international initiatives—Buhari retreated into relative obscurity. Even after losing the presidency to Buhari, Goodluck Jonathan remained engaged, contributing to discussions on democracy and governance.

Buhari, on the other hand, seemed content with his modest life, offering little in the way of public discourse or intellectual contribution. His rise to power in 2015, orchestrated by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was a carefully crafted narrative of a reformed democrat. Yet, once in office, Buhari’s administration quickly revealed its limitations.

For eight years, Buhari presided over a nation in decline, with insecurity, corruption, and economic challenges intensifying. His administration was marked by nepotism, as key positions were filled with individuals from his inner circle, often at the expense of national unity. Banditry and violence became pervasive, and the country’s infrastructure crumbled under the weight of mismanagement.

While Tinubu, now president, remained silent on Buhari’s failures, others like Obasanjo were vocal in their criticism. However, Buhari’s leadership was largely insulated from accountability, and the nation suffered as a result.

Today, as Buhari enjoys his retirement in Daura, the silence from his end is deafening. No memoirs, no significant public addresses, no efforts to share lessons learned from his time in power. The chaos that defined his presidency has followed him home, with insecurity plaguing his home state and beyond.

Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office, one is struck by the missed opportunities and the deepening divisions in Nigerian society. The promises of security and prosperity, symbolized by initiatives like the National Identity Number (NIN) project, remain unfulfilled. Kidnappings and internet fraud continue to rise, belying the grand claims of his administration.

As Nigeria grapples with the aftermath of Buhari’s leadership, questions linger: How did the nation allow itself to be led down this path? How can the country recover from the deep wounds inflicted over the past eight years? And as Tinubu continues on a similar trajectory, albeit with slight modifications, what hope is there for a true renewal of leadership?

The answers remain elusive. What is clear, however, is that Buhari’s tenure represents a period of wasted leadership, leaving Nigeria burdened with debt, insecurity, and a fractured national identity.