OBITUARY: Muhammadu Buhari -Nigeria’s 1st opposition candidate to become president, who was loved, loathed, but never ignored

Muhammadu Buhari, the former Nigerian president who died at the age of 82 yesterday afternoon in London, leaves behind a legacy as complex and divisive as Nigeria itself.

His life, which he dedicated to Nigeria, spanned from a military dictatorship to a democratic presidency, would remain a study of contradiction because he was a man who was resented in his first stint, then became a figure who inspired hope and then bore deep-seated frustration by the time he finally left office.

Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, present Katsina State, Muhammadu Buhari’s journey into the national consciousness began in the military, which he joined immediately after his secondary school education. He rose through the ranks, and in 1983, he became Head of State after a military coup that overthrew the civilian government of Shehu Shagari.

His first stint in power was defined by the “War Against Indiscipline,” a campaign aimed at instilling order and national values while eliminating corruption. While his supporters praised his integrity and stringent anti-corruption stance, his regime was also criticised for human rights abuses and suppressing the press.

This period came to an end in 1985 when he was overthrown by General Ibrahim Babangida. In his 2025 autobiography, “A Journey in Service”, Babangida explained the motivations behind the coup, accusing Buhari and his deputy, Tunde Idiagbon, of cultivating a “holier-than-thou” attitude, saying the regime’s “draconian” decrees had led to abuse of fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens.

After two years in detention and many more away from the political spotlight, Muhammadu Buhari made a remarkable political comeback in April 2002 when he became a politician and declared his presidential ambition. Following several unsuccessful attempts in 2003, 2007, and 2011, he was democratically elected president in 2015, defeating the incumbent Goodluck Jonathan to become Nigeria’s first democratically elected opposition leader.

This victory was historic, marking the first time an opposition candidate had won a presidential election in Nigeria. His campaign, built on the promise of “change,” resonated with a populace tired of corruption and insecurity.

As president, Buhari’s administration focused on three key areas: fighting corruption, improving security, and reforming the economy. However, his two terms in office were marked by significant challenges. The country faced economic downturns, and insecurity, particularly from Boko Haram and other armed groups, remained a persistent problem.

His leadership style, often described as austere and rigid, drew criticism. Public discontent grew, culminating in the nationwide #EndSARS protests against police brutality in 2020, which further strained his relationship with the country’s youth.

Supporters will remember Buhari as a leader of personal integrity, a rare quality in Nigerian politics. They saw him as a necessary force to clean up a deeply corrupt system. His critics, however, viewed him as inflexible and unable to grasp the complexities of Nigeria’s socio-economic realities. They point to his government’s human rights record and the economic hardships faced by many Nigerians during his tenure as evidence of his failures.

Muhammadu Buhari’s story is the story of a man who was, as one publication put it, a “change patron who belonged to everybody and nobody.” He was a symbol of Nigeria’s enduring hope for reform and its simultaneous struggle with the realities of governance.

He is survived by his wife, Aisha Buhari, and ten children. His passing on July 13, 2025, in London, marks the end of an era, but the debate over his legacy is sure to continue for years to come.