Former president of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, 82, who led the most populous country in Africa from 2015 to 2023, died in London on Sunday (13).
“President Buhari died today in London around 4:30 pm (15:30 GMT), after a prolonged disease,” said President Bola Tinubu spokesman in an X publication.
Buhari was the first to dismiss a government through the ballot box. Initially, he led the country as a military ruler after a blow in the 1980s, but won followers for his anti -corruption policy style.
Democrat “converted”
Buhari defeated Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, in the election that was considered the fairest one until then.
At the time, violence, which was once limited to the Northeast, spread. This left areas of Nigeria out of control and overloaded security forces, while revolting against the government.
He referred to himself as a “converted Democrat” and exchanged his military uniform for prayer caps.
“I belong to all and do not belong to anyone,” was a constant chorus that Buhari told supporters and critics.
Much of his speech consisted of the anti -corruption appeal, which was a central pillar of his agenda as a military ruler and as a civilian. He stated that the endemic corruption in Nigeria’s political culture was delaying people’s progress.
Experience in the Army
Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, no, Buhari enlisted in the army at age 19. He would reach the post of Major General.
Buhari took power in 1983 as a military ruler, promising to revitalize a poorly administered country. The leader adopted a hardline policy in everything, from the conditions required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to the indiscipline in bus lines.
In 1984, his government tried to kidnap a former minister and a staunch critic who lived in Britain. The plot failed when employees at London airport opened the box containing the kidnapped politician.
However, his first term in power was short lived. He was deprived after only 18 months by another military officer, Ibrahim Babangido.
Buhari spent much of the next 30 years in marginal political parties and trying to run for presidency until his eventual victory over Jonathan in 2015.
Economic recession
The Nigerian leader quickly disappointed after his victory in 2015. He took six months to name his office.
During this period, the oil-dependent economy was impaired by low gross oil prices, leading people to call him “Baba Go Slow” (go slow, drool).
His second victory in 2019 occurred despite his first term was marked by Nigeria’s first recession in a generation, militant attacks on oil fields and repeated hospital hospitalizations.
