President Bola Tinubu has announced the passing of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga has confirmed that Buhari died Sunday in London at about 4.30 pm, following a prolonged illness. He was aged 82.
President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences, Onanuga disclosed.
He said the President has also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the UK to accompany Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.
Tinubu also ordered flags at half-mast as a mark of respect for the departed leader.
Former President Buhari was twice elected Nigeria’s President in 2015 and 2023.
He also served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985
Buhari completed his second and final term as Nigeria’s president on May 29, 2023, peacefully transferring power to his successor, to mark the end of his eight-year presidency after upsetting former President Goodluck Jonathan.
His victory represented a significant democratic transition in Nigeria’s political history though his tenure witnessed a mixed bag of achievements and disappointments.
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The most inglorious decision was taken in late 2022. Buhari’s administration implemented a controversial currency redesign policy that resulted in severe cash shortages across Nigeria. The policy, intended to combat corruption and improve monetary control, instead caused significant economic hardship for citizens who relied heavily on cash transactions.
The Buhari administration grappled with the massive cost of fuel subsidies throughout his final years. In his last budget presentation in October 2022, he confirmed plans to remove the costly petrol subsidy, though this decision was left to his successor to implement.
After leaving office, the 82-year-old former president retired quietly to his hometown of Daura in Katsina State, maintaining a low public profile. His name appeared in national discourse recently when Mr Boss Mustapha tried to rewrite the history of the 2023 presidential election.
He was hospitalised in London since April where he was receiving medical treatment. According to Mallam Garba Shehu, his spokesperson, the former president initially travelled to the UK for routine medical check-ups but subsequently became unwell and remained abroad for treatment. This follows his pattern during his presidency of seeking medical care in London.
Buhari’s final years were marked by mixed assessments of his presidency. While he was praised for maintaining democratic transitions and signing important legislation like the Mental Health Bill in January 2023, critics pointed to his inability to solve the problem of kidnapping, banditry, and insurgency despite his promises and military background.
On the economy, he left the country with high inflation, debt burden, and currency difficulties with limited progress on key infrastructure projects
His three main campaign promises from 2015 – tackling insecurity, fighting corruption, and fixing the economy – remained contentious topics as he left office on May 29, 2023.
Crediblenewsng.com
