DISSECTING THE BUHARI YEARS: MUHAMMADU BUHARI (December 1942 – July 2025)
Nigeria, the most populous black African nation was thrown into mourning on Sunday, 13th day of July, 2025 when the news of the passing of the immediate former President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari broke. He died in a clinic facility in London, United Kingdom.
The spontaneous reaction to the shocking news of his demise from the seat of power, the Presidency, by the political class, religious and traditional leaders, past and present military leaders and the international community spoke volume of the enigma, who Buhari was.
The President Bola Tinubu – led Federal Government played leadership roles in giving the late President, a national burial befitting of an hero he was.
The Daily Times team of Tunde Opalana, Emma Okereh, Tom Okpe, Andrew Orolua, Grace Ihesuelo, Ukpono Ukpong, Tom Garba, Okioma Aherhoke, Titus Akhigbe, Bassey John , Theresa Donatus, Stephen Adegboyega, in this indepth analytical piece examine the personality called Muhammadu Buhari; His life and times, His service to the nation as a Public Officer in both military and civilian capacities and perceptions of the people, both Nigerians and non- nationals about the late President.
The Life And Times Of A National Leader
Until his death at the ripe age of 82 years on Sunday, July 13th, 2025 in a clinic in London, the late President Muhammadu Buhari was a renowned figure in Nigeria and Africa. He will remain a household name in years to come as his life and times in and outside of public office sparked different perceptions by Nigerians.
He served the nation twice as a military Head of State from 1983 to 1985, and then as a civilian President from 2015 to 2023.
During his time in office on both tenures, his administrations made notable impacts on the socio- economic life of the nation and the citizenry.
His administration alongside the late General Tunde Idiagbon as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters was adjudged authoritarian for certain disciplinary measures and little tolerance for criticism by the civil society, the media and other social critics.
The nation’s economy under ‘Buharism’ was marked by austere measures while the ‘War Against Indiscipline’ became the Hallmark of social order.
His high- handedness and cohesive control of the military government no doubt led to the overthrow of his government by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in a palace coup.
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He retired to a very quiet civil life until he joined politics and ran for the presidency for three consecutive times before fate finally smiled on him when he joined forces in the build up to the 2015 general election when he alongside other politicians in a landmark merger of parties formed the All Progressives Congress, APC, a platform on which he ran and won the election.
His presidency came in the mantra of tackling corruption, put an end to the then festering insecurity, and improving the ailing economy.
He honorably handed over the baton of governance to President Tinubu upon the completion of his two term as President on May 29, 2023 and once again retired to Katsina where he made little public appearances until his death.
Early Life and Military Career
Born on December 17, 1942, the late Buhari started his military career in 1961 when he joined the Nigerian Army.
He rose through the ranks in.the military formations and held various positions, including military governor of Borno State (1975-1976) and Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources (1976-1978).
Became Head of State after leading a military coup on December 31, 1983, overthrowing the civilian government of Shehu Shagari.
His government was overthrown by a coup led by Ibrahim Babangida in August 1985.
Venturing Into Politics
Buhari had three failed presidential aspirations. He ran for presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011.
At the berth of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he became the presidential candidate of the party in 2015.
Due to the faith that many Nigerians had in him, he won the 2015 election by defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, marking the first time an incumbent president lost a Nigerian election.
He contested the 2019 presidential Poll as the sole candidate of the APC and was re-elected in 2019, defeating his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
His tenure ended on May 29, 2023, with the inauguration of Bola Tinubu presidency.
The late President was a happily married husband of Aisha Buhari, with whom he had five children.
Accorded A Befitting Final Burial Rites
In a very rare national honour, the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima and the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila ushered his remains into the country from the United Kingdom and was received by a waiting President Tinubu, who stood his ground as the Chief Mourner at the Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina ahead of motorcade ride to Daura, his home town for the mandatory Islamic prayer.
President Tinubu his Vice Shettima and former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo seated throughout the exclusive prayer at his graveside and the last military rites led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.
Dignitaries too numerous to mention graced the occasion while some stayed behind in Daura to participate in the two days and three days Fidau prayers for the repose of Buhari’s soul.
Aside the declaration of a day public holiday on Tuesday, a special Federal Executive Council commendation session was held for him at the State House on Thursday.
At the session, an emotion laden President Bola Tinubu described the late Buhari as a man of unwavering principle, deep moral conviction, and lifelong service to Nigeria.
“Today, we gather under a heavy shadow,” Tinubu began. “We meet to honour a man whose presence once commanded this very room… President Muhammadu Buhari has gone to rest.”
Tinubu hailed Buhari’s steadfastness in leadership, humility in power, and commitment to national unity. He described Buhari as “austere in honour” and “unmoved by the temptation of power,” noting that his private character gave “radiance to the discipline and integrity of his public service.”
Recalling their political alliance and historic collaboration, Tinubu said, “We stood together, he and I… and formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.” He praised Buhari for his restraint in office, his refusal to impose his will after leaving power, and his dignified return to private life in Daura.
While acknowledging that Buhari was not without faults—“no leader is”—Tinubu stressed that “he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.
“Mai Gaskiya, The People’s General, the Farmer President—your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima described the late President Buhari as a “soldier of conscience” whose life of modesty, sacrifice, and national service will continue to inspire generations.
“There are moments too profound for words,” the Vice President began, reflecting on the impermanence of life and the enduring legacy of President Buhari. “We gather not just as a Council, but as mourners of a titan. A man whose name has been etched in the conscience of the nation through selfless service.”
Shettima noted that while the repatriation of a deceased body from the UK typically takes five working days, the process was completed within 24 hours—an extraordinary feat he credited to diplomatic goodwill built over decades and the respect Buhari commanded globally.
“He gave his youth to the military, his adulthood to national service, and his twilight to reform,” Shettima said, adding that Buhari’s life whispered its meaning rather than shouted it.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described him as a man of discipline, integrity, and unflinching patriotism.
“There are moments in the life of a nation when she must pause—not out of routine, but out of reverence. Today is such a moment,” Akpabio began. He painted a portrait of Buhari as both soldier and statesman, someone forged by conflict and refined by the burden of leadership.
The Senate President, who once served as a minister in Buhari’s cabinet, offered rare insights into the late leader’s character. “He was not flamboyant—far from it. His voice was measured. His steps, deliberate. But beneath that calm exterior beat the heart of a patriot,” he said.
