Former Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari dies aged 82
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Former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari dies aged 82 in London
Muhammadu Buhari led Nigeria as a military ruler after a coup in the 1980s. He was the first Nigerian president to oust an incumbent through the ballot box. The 82-year-old earned a devoted following for his brand of anti-corruption conviction politics. His first term was blighted by Nigeria’s first recession in a generation, militant attacks on oilfields, and repeated hospital stays. He defeated Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 in what was judged to be Nigeria’s fairest election to date. He died in London at about 4.30pm [1530 GMT], following a prolonged illness.
President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson said in a post on X: “President Buhari died today in London at about 4.30pm [1530 GMT], following a prolonged illness.”
Buhari, 82, who first led the country as a military ruler after a coup in the 1980s, earned a devoted following for his brand of anti-corruption conviction politics.
He referred to himself as a “converted democrat” and swapped his military uniform for kaftans and prayer caps.
“I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody”, was a regular refrain Buhari told supporters and critics alike.
Buhari defeated Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 in what was judged to be Nigeria’s fairest election to date. Many hoped the retired major general would crack down on armed groups, just as he had as the country’s military head of state.
Instead, violence that had mostly been confined to the north-east spread. That left swathes of Nigeria outside the control of its stretched security forces as gunmen in the north-west, armed separatists and gangs in the south-east roamed unchecked.
Much of his appeal lay in the anti-corruption ethos that was a central plank of his agenda both as a military and civilian ruler. He said endemic corruption in Nigeria’s political culture was holding people back.
But Buhari quickly disappointed after his 2015 win. He took six months to name his cabinet. During that time, the oil-dependent economy was hobbled by low crude prices, prompting people to call him “Baba Go Slow”.
His second victory in 2019 came despite his first term being blighted by Nigeria’s first recession in a generation, militant attacks on oilfields, and repeated hospital stays.
Born on 17 December 1942 in Daura, in the north-west state of Katsina, Buhari enrolled in the army at 19. He would eventually rise to the rank of major general.
He seized power in 1983 as a military ruler, promising to revitalise a mismanaged country. Buhari took a tough line on everything from the conditions sought by the International Monetary Fund, to unruliness in bus queues.
In 1984, his administration attempted to kidnap a former minister and vocal critic living in Britain. The plot failed when London airport officials opened a crate containing the abducted politician.
His first stint in power was short-lived. He was removed after only 18 months by another military officer, Ibrahim Babangida.
Buhari spent much of the following 30 years in fringe political parties and trying to run for president until his eventual victory over Jonathan in 2015.
Nigeria’s former President Buhari dies in London at 82: Spokesperson
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Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari dies in London aged 82
Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has passed away at the age of 82. He reportedly died at a London hospital in the United Kingdom (UK) on Sunday, around 4:30 pm, while receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. The former military ruler served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, completing two terms in office. He first led the country as military head of state between 1983 and 1985 after a coup, before being ousted.
Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has passed away at the age of 82.
Muhammadu reportedly died at a London hospital in the United Kingdom (UK) on Sunday, around 4:30 pm, while receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
Garba Shehu, Muhammadu’s long-time spokesperson, confirmed his passing in a statement on X on Sunday.
“The family of the former president has announced the passing of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin,” said Garba.
Shortly after, the Nigerian government similarly confirmed Muhammadu’s death, announcing that President Bola Tinubu had instructed Vice-President Kashim Shettima to travel to the UK to accompany his remains back to Lagos.
The Nigerian government added that Tinubu had personally spoken to Aishat Buhari, the late president’s widow, and conveyed his condolences.
“President Tinubu has announced the passing of his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. President Buhari died today in London at about 4.30 pm, following a prolonged illness,” said Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President, in a statement on X.
“President Tinubu has spoken with Aishat Buhari, the former president’s widow and offered deep condolences. President Tinubu has also directed Vice-President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.”
The former military ruler served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, completing two terms in office.
He first led the country as military head of state between 1983 and 1985 after a coup, before being ousted.
While he will be remembered for launching high-profile anti-corruption investigations, expanding Nigeria’s social investment programmes and stepping up the fight against Boko Haram in the northeast, his tenure was marred by persistent economic hardships and press freedom violations.
BREAKING: Peter Obi Finally Breaks Silence Over Death of Buhari at 82 in London
Peter Obi expressed deep sorrow over former President Buhari’s death at 82, calling it a solemn moment for Nigeria. The former Anambra state governor also used the opportunity to offer prayers and condolences to the late president’s widow, his children, and the nation at large. He added a prayer in the traditional Islamic way, asking God to forgive Buharis’ shortcomings and grant him eternal peace. His death in London has triggered national mourning, with flags expected to fly at half-mast and funeral arrangements to be announced by the presidency in due course. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the passing of his predecessor, BUhari. He also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany the body back to Nigeria.
Obi praised Buhari’s dignified leadership and significant role in Nigeria’s political and military history
He extended condolences to Buhari’s family and prayed for forgiveness and eternal peace for the late president
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away at the age of 82 in London.
In a heartfelt message shared on Saturday, July 13, Obi extended his condolences to the late president’s family, associates, and the nation at large.
Peter Obi Finally Breaks Silence Over Death of Buhari at 82 in London
Source: Twitter
In his message via X, the former Anambra governor described Buhari as a dignified leader whose death marks a solemn moment in Nigeria’s history.
Obi praises Buhari’s conduct in office
Peter Obi acknowledged the late president’s bearing while in office, stating that Buhari always carried himself with a sense of dignity and responsibility as a national leader.
“I have just received the very sad news of the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari in London,” Obi said. “His death provides a solemn moment, not just for his family and close associates, but for our nation as a whole.”
Obi went on to reflect on Buhari’s time in public service, noting the significant role he played in shaping the country’s political and military landscape.
Condolences to Buhari’s family and Nigerians
The former Anambra state governor also used the opportunity to offer prayers and condolences to Buhari’s widow, Aisha Buhari, his children, and the entire Buhari family.
“To his wife, children, extended family, and to all Nigerians, I extend my deepest condolences,” Obi said.
He added a prayer in the traditional Islamic way, asking God to forgive Buhari’s shortcomings and grant him eternal peace.
“May Almighty Allah, Most Gracious and Most Merciful, forgive President Buhari’s shortcomings, reward his efforts in service to the nation, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus,” he said.
Reactions have continued to pour in following Buhari’s passing, with tributes coming from across the political spectrum.
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1983 to 1985 and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023, was one of the most prominent figures in the country’s post-independence history.
His death in London has triggered national mourning, with flags expected to fly at half-mast and funeral arrangements to be announced by the presidency in due course.
Presidency reacts to Buhari’s passing
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the passing of his predecessor, Buhari.
President Tinubu spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences.
The President also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.
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Source: Legit.ng
Who Was Muhammadu Buhari? Former Nigerian President Dies At 82 After Prolonged Illness
Muhammadu Buhari died in London on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was the first Nigerian leader to defeat an incumbent president through a democratic election. He first came to power as a military ruler in 1983 after a coup, promising to restore order in a country grappling with mismanagement. His presidency was marked by growing violence across the country, with armed groups expanding beyond the northeast into the northwest and southeast regions.
Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari, who led Africa’s most populous nation from 2015 to 2023 and was the first Nigerian leader to defeat an incumbent president through a democratic election, died in London on Sunday following a prolonged illness, a presidential spokesperson confirmed. Buhari passed away at about 4:30 PM (1530 GMT), according to a post by President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson on X.
Who Was Muhammadu Buhari?
Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari began his career in the Nigerian army at age 19 and rose to the rank of major-general. He first came to power as a military ruler in 1983 after a coup, promising to restore order in a country grappling with mismanagement. Known for his strict anti-corruption stance, Buhari earned a devoted following, branding himself a “converted democrat” after transitioning from military rule to civilian politics.
In 2015, Buhari made history by defeating incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in what was widely regarded as Nigeria’s fairest election to date. His campaign focused heavily on fighting corruption, which he believed was deeply entrenched in Nigerian politics. However, his presidency was marked by growing violence across the country, with armed groups expanding beyond the northeast into the northwest and southeast regions, challenging Nigeria’s security forces.
Despite his anti-corruption promises, Buhari faced criticism for delays in forming his cabinet after his first election, earning the nickname “Baba Go Slow” amid an economic downturn caused by falling oil prices. His 2019 re-election came despite Nigeria’s first recession in decades and ongoing militant attacks on oil infrastructure.
Buhari’s first military rule lasted only 18 months before he was ousted by another military leader, Ibrahim Babangida. He spent the next three decades attempting to return to power through fringe political parties before finally winning the presidency in 2015.