Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari died at the age of 82

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari died at the age of 82

The former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military general who committed to combating corruption in the government, died at the age of 82. The presidential office announced this on Sunday. According to the office, he died in London around 4:30 p.m. after a "longer -lasting illness".

condolences and legacy

The current President Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, spoke out his condolences to Buhari's wife and commissioned his Vice President to travel to Great Britain to accompany Buhari's body back to Nigeria. Tinubu praised Buhari's legacy as a "patriot, soldier and statesman" with a "deep commitment to unity and progress" of his country.

political career and challenges

"He withstanded the most turbulent times, led with calm strength, profound integrity and an unshakable belief in Nigeria. He was committed to discipline in the public service, countered corruption and put the country in every situation about personal interests," said Tinubu.

Buhari was elected president in 2015 after he had previously run three times unsuccessfully. In 2019 he was re -elected for another four -year term. The former general first came to power in 1983 during a military coup, but was plunged by another coup two years later.

social and economic challenges

Buhari will be remembered for his strict anti-corruption policy in a country that was once referred to as "fantastic corrupt" by the former British Prime Minister David Cameron. Some praise his hard attitude towards Boko Haram and the security problems that have plagued the northeast of the country for years. In December 1942 he was born in Daura, in the Nigerian state of Katsina, and completed his military training in Kaduna, Great Britain, India and the United States.

his political engagement began in 1975 after a military coup that fell the ruler Yakubu Gowon at the time. Buhari became a military governor of the state of Borno, who is hit by Boko Haram.

political successes and setbacks

Buhari, who was married twice and had ten children, was part of the Nigerian power parameters both as a military ruler and later as a "reform -democratic" politician. Many Nigerians celebrated his election victory, but the euphoria did not take long because many thought that he had played his initial benevolence through too hesitant action.

He needed six months to appoint ministers for his cabinet and did not act quickly enough to cope with the country's economic crises, some of which were due to a weak currency and falling oil prices.

insight into Buhris economic decisions

For months, Buhari refused to devalue the falling Naira, which weakened the trust of investors. This led to a gap between the official and the black market course. The economic analyst Bismarck Rewane found that Buhari's lack of understanding of modern economy and market strategies played an important role in the economic crisis. According to Rewane, this misunderstanding was shaped by Paranoia and distrust, which was created after his dismissal during his first military government.

he said: "In 1983, Buhari had the feeling that he was cheated when he was asked to reduce the Naira and reduce subsidies. Three weeks later there was a coup against him. Since then he had distrust of market economy and often acted too late when he did."

Buhari's leadership style and heir

Rewane, who met Buhari several times during his campaign and gave him some political advice after his victory, said that Buhari will be remembered as a "strong and principled guide". "He was a very unique governor," said Rewane. "Some will say that he was rigid and did not move when he believed in something. But I consider it positive. He had a character strength that is very rare in this world region."

Buhari's first term was characterized by fighting on many fronts, including the Boko Haram insert, the second-pro-Biafra movement in the east of Nigeria and the violent attacks by fulani shepherds across the country. Despite growing concerns about the security situation, Buhari was re -elected.

conclusion and outlook

During his second term, nationwide protests against police violence broke out, which were reported to be initiated by a controversial police unit. Buhari promised to do more against militant groups and to stabilize the economy, while the demonstrations became bloody and continued until the end of its presidency.

In his last speech before the UN in 2022, Buhari criticized the "corrosive" effects of colleagues who extend their terms of office to capture power. The following year he praised his successor and party comrades Tinubu as "the best man for the job".