Buhari’s Legacy: A Nation’s Hope and Disillusionment

The Rise and Fall of Nigeria’s Expectations

Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed two pivotal moments when General Muhammadu Buhari ascended to power – first in December 1983 as military leader, and later in 2015 as democratically elected president. These transitions sparked nationwide hope for transformative change, though the outcomes would leave many Nigerians disillusioned.

The 1983 Revolution That Wasn’t

As a young idealist influenced by leftist thinkers at Ahmadu Bello University and inspired by African literary giants like Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Chinua Achebe, I initially viewed Buhari’s 1983 military takeover as revolutionary. We naively believed his government would eradicate the “monumental corruption” plaguing Nigeria, drawing parallels to Jerry Rawlings’ reforms in Ghana and Thomas Sankara’s nationalist revolution in Burkina Faso.

Looking back with nostalgia, we now recognize that era’s corruption pales in comparison to today’s brazen looting. Yet at the time, many Nigerians convinced themselves that Buhari’s premature ousting prevented necessary reforms, maintaining faith in his potential to heal the nation.

The Political Resurrection

General Sani Abacha inadvertently launched Buhari’s political career through the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). Despite allegations of financial mismanagement, the PTF’s visible infrastructure projects under Buhari’s leadership convinced many Nigerians that his presidency could achieve remarkable progress. “He did those things not as president; what if he were president?” became a common refrain among his supporters.

The 2015 Euphoria and Disappointment

The 2015 election victory created unprecedented excitement among Nigerians. Citizens embarked on symbolic marathon treks across the country, expressing their optimism for national renewal. As someone who sacrificed potential political appointments to support Buhari’s campaign, I shared this euphoria – comparing the inauguration day to the joyful anticipation children feel during Eid celebrations.

Missed Opportunities for Reform

Buhari entered office with immense political capital and could have implemented transformative changes:

• Party Financing: Leveraging his grassroots funding model to democratize political party financing
• Government Profligacy: Ending extravagant spending on presidential feeding and foreign vehicle purchases
• Education Reform: Requiring public officials to use Nigeria’s education system
• Healthcare Investment: Building world-class medical facilities to stem medical tourism

Instead, many Nigerians felt betrayed when Buhari’s ministerial appointments failed to reflect his campaign promises. The retention of Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, whom Buhari had previously criticized, particularly undermined confidence in his reform agenda.

The Political Strategist

Contrary to claims of political naivete, Buhari demonstrated remarkable political acumen. As General TY Danjuma noted, he was “a soldier’s soldier,” but he also proved himself a skilled political operator who outmaneuvered opponents throughout Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

A Legacy of Unfulfilled Promise

While Buhari entered office twice amid national hope for change, his administrations ultimately failed to meet Nigerians’ lofty expectations. The disappointment stems not from lack of opportunity, but from squandered potential to fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s political and economic trajectory.

As we reflect on this complex legacy, crucial questions remain about Nigeria’s governance future and the lessons learned from these periods of hope and disillusionment.

Credit: This article is based on the original work by Hassan Gimba published on Neptune Prime