The Death of Muhammadu Buhari: A Controversial Legacy and How Nigerians Reacted — A Lesson for Posterity
The Death of Muhammadu Buhari: A Controversial Legacy and How Nigerians Reacted — A Lesson for Posterity By Daniel Okonkwo The passing of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has evoked a wide range of reactions across the nation. For some, it is a time of mourning for a former military leader and two-time head of state. For others, it has reopened long-standing wounds stemming from his policies, style of governance, and their impact on national life. These mixed reactions speak to the deep divide in how Nigerians experienced his leadership—and the lessons it leaves behind. When Buhari assumed democratic office in 2015, he cited a long list of challenges: a distressed economy, decaying infrastructure, overwhelming national debt, and widespread insecurity. “Corruption and impunity were the order of the day,” he said at the time. “In short, we inherited a state near collapse.” His emergence marked a historical shift—he became the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumb...