Muhammadu Buhari: A Repeated Pattern of Failure (1985 Vs 2023)

With President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure coming to an end in 2 months, let’s take a look at how his policies in his two stints as Nigeria’s Head-of-State has shown traits of a repeated pattern which has not been very favourable for Nigeria.

1983-1985

Muhammadu Buhari was the military head of state of Nigeria from December 1983 to August 1985. His government was characterized by a number of policies and actions that had far-reaching effects on the country’s political, economic, and social landscape.

In this article, we will examine Buhari’s government, its policies, and its impact on Nigeria. Buhari’s government came to power through a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of President Shehu Shagari.

The coup was widely welcomed by Nigerians, who had grown disillusioned with the corruption and economic mismanagement of the Shagari administration. Buhari promised to restore discipline and integrity to the government, and his initial actions were seen as steps in that direction.

One of Buhari’s first actions as head of state was the establishment of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) program, which aimed to promote discipline and accountability in society. The program included measures such as the enforcement of traffic laws, the punishment of littering, and the promotion of punctuality.

While the program was initially popular, it soon became associated with heavy-handedness and abuse of power by the military. Soldiers and police officers were accused of using excessive force in enforcing WAI rules, and many Nigerians felt that the program was being used as a tool of repression.

Buhari’s government also launched a crackdown on corruption, which had become endemic in Nigeria. Dozens of politicians and officials were arrested and tried for corruption, and some were sentenced to long prison terms.

While the crackdown was popular with Nigerians, many observers noted that it was selective and politically motivated. Buhari’s government targeted members of the previous administration and their allies, while turning a blind eye to corruption within the military and security forces.

Another key policy of Buhari’s government was the implementation of an austerity program to address Nigeria’s economic crisis. The country was facing a severe balance of payments crisis, and its external debt had ballooned to over $12 billion.

Buhari’s government implemented a number of measures to reduce government spending and increase revenues, including the devaluation of the naira, the reduction of subsidies on fuel and food, and the cutting of civil service salaries.

While these measures were necessary to address Nigeria’s economic problems, they had a severe impact on the country’s poor and working-class population, who bore the brunt of the austerity measures.

While Muhammadu Buhari’s government had some successes during its two-year tenure, there were also significant failures and shortcomings that had lasting negative impacts on Nigeria.

One of the most significant failures of Buhari’s government was its handling of human rights abuses. The military cracked down harshly on perceived enemies of the regime, with reports of extrajudicial executions, torture, and arbitrary detention.

Many Nigerians were arrested and detained without trial, and the government suspended civil liberties such as freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association.

These actions were perceived as heavy-handed and authoritarian, and they generated widespread criticism from human rights groups both within Nigeria and internationally.

Another major failure of Buhari’s government was its inability to address Nigeria’s severe economic crisis.

While the government implemented austerity measures to address the country’s balance of payments crisis and external debt, these measures had significant negative impacts on Nigeria’s poor and working-class population.

The devaluation of the naira led to inflation, which eroded the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians, and the reduction of subsidies on fuel and food led to rising prices and food shortages.

The cutting of civil service salaries also led to significant job losses and increased poverty. Buhari’s government also failed to address the underlying structural problems in Nigeria’s economy, such as the over-reliance on oil exports and the lack of diversification.

The government did little to promote the development of other sectors of the economy, and its policies did not create an enabling environment for private sector growth.

This lack of economic diversification would later prove to be a significant vulnerability for Nigeria, particularly during periods of global oil price volatility.

Another area where Buhari’s government failed was in its relations with Nigeria’s neighboring countries. The government’s foreign policy was perceived as aggressive and confrontational, particularly with regards to Nigeria’s relations with its Francophone neighbors.

Buhari’s government was accused of meddling in the affairs of neighboring countries, and its actions led to strained relations with these countries. This undermined Nigeria’s regional leadership and weakened its position in international forums.

Finally, Buhari’s government was criticized for its lack of inclusivity and participation. The government was dominated by military officers, and there was little participation by civilians in the decision-making process.

This lack of participation contributed to a sense of alienation among ordinary Nigerians, particularly those outside of the military and political elite.

2015 to 2023

Muhammadu Buhari was elected as President of Nigeria in 2015, with the promise of tackling corruption, improving security, and reviving the economy.

However, his government has been criticized for its failures in achieving these goals, as well as for a number of other shortcomings.

One of the most significant failures of Buhari’s government has been its handling of the economy. Despite promises to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil exports, the government has been unable to significantly improve the economy.

Nigeria has experienced a recession under Buhari’s leadership, with the country’s GDP contracting for the first time in 25 years in 2016.

The government’s economic policies have been criticized for being inconsistent and lacking in coherence, with some experts arguing that the government has been slow to respond to economic challenges.

Another major failure of Buhari’s government has been its handling of security challenges in the country. The government has been criticized for its inability to effectively address the threat posed by Boko Haram, an Islamist extremist group that has carried out numerous attacks in the country.

While the government has made some progress in reducing the group’s territorial control, Boko Haram continues to carry out attacks on civilians and security forces.

The government has also been criticized for its handling of other security challenges, such as the conflict between farmers and herders in the country.

Buhari’s government has also been criticized for its handling of corruption. While the government has made some high-profile arrests and recoveries of stolen assets, critics argue that these actions have been selective and politically motivated.

The government’s anti-corruption campaign has been accused of lacking transparency and due process, with some individuals being arrested and detained without trial.

There have also been concerns about the government’s ability to effectively prosecute corruption cases, with many cases being delayed or thrown out of court.

In addition to these failures, Buhari’s government has been criticized for its lack of inclusivity and participation. The government has been accused of being dominated by a small group of individuals, with little input from civil society or other stakeholders.

There have also been concerns about the government’s respect for human rights, with reports of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly.

Finally, Buhari’s government has been criticized for its handling of Nigeria’s international relations. The government’s foreign policy has been described as insular and reactive, with little attention paid to building relationships with other countries or addressing global challenges.