Nigeria’s painful memories: Top dark sides of Buhari’s presidency

Former Nigeria’s President, Late Muhammadu Buhari. Photo Credit- Buhari’s FG

From 2015 to 2023, Muhammadu Buhari’s democratic presidency promised Nigerians a new dawn of security, economic prosperity, and anti-corruption reforms. Elected as the first opposition candidate to unseat an incumbent in Nigeria’s history, Buhari’s ascent was fueled by hope among a populace weary of corruption and insecurity. Yet, his eight-year tenure, marked by unfulfilled promises and systemic failures, was punctuated by tragedies that left indelible scars in the minds of Nigerians. From the Lekki Toll Gate massacre to escalating kidnappings and economic collapse, these events defined a turbulent era. This piece explores the biggest tragedies under Buhari’s administration that Nigerians will not soon forget, drawing on their profound human toll and the enduring questions they raise about governance and accountability.

Lekki toll gate massacre

On October 20, 2020, Nigeria’s youth-led #EndSARS protests against police brutality reached a tragic climax at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos. The movement, sparked by years of abuses by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), had mobilized thousands demanding systemic reform. As peaceful protesters waved flags and sang the national anthem under floodlights, security forces opened fire, killing at least 12 and injuring dozens, according to Amnesty International. The massacre, livestreamed by activist DJ Switch, shocked the world, with bloodied bodies and shattered dreams broadcast globally.

The government’s response deepened the tragedy. Buhari’s administration labeled protesters “rioters” and failed to acknowledge the killings in a national address, fueling outrage. Social media reactions, reflect ongoing grief, with families still seeking justice for lost loved ones. The lack of accountability coupled with a seven-month Twitter ban after the platform removed a Buhari tweet cemented Lekki as a symbol of state repression. For Nigerians, the massacre not only crushed a generation’s hope but also eroded trust in governance, a scar Nigerians carry into the future.

Chibok kidnapping and beyond

Buhari’s 2015 campaign hinged on defeating Boko Haram, whose 2014 kidnapping of 276 Chibok schoolgirls had galvanized global attention. Yet, under his watch, mass abductions escalated, becoming a grim hallmark of his presidency. By 2023, over 25,794 people were killed in attacks, and thousands of students were kidnapped. Notable incidents include the 2018 Dapchi kidnapping of 110 girls, the 2020 Kankara abduction of 344 boys, and the 2021 Kagara kidnapping of 27 students. Bandits in the Northwest and Boko Haram’s rival faction, ISWAP, operated with impunity, exploiting a stretched military.

The human toll was staggering. Families in Kaduna and other notoriously affected Northern states, lived in anguish, often paying ransoms with no guarantee of safety. The government’s inability to secure schools, despite Buhari’s military background drew fierce criticism. Alexis Akwagyiram, speaking to Al Jazeera, noted that “Boko Haram and ISWAP both proliferated” under Buhari, with the military “spread thin.” Critics on social media gave Buhari an “F9” for security, reflecting public frustration. These abductions not only shattered communities but also deterred education, particularly for girls, leaving a legacy of fear and lost potential.

Economic collapse

Buhari’s economic mismanagement plunged Nigeria into its worst recession in a generation, a tragedy of deprivation that touched every household. In 2016, the oil-dependent economy, crippled by low crude prices, contracted by 1.5%, exacerbated by Buhari’s refusal to devalue the naira. A foreign currency shortage forced businesses to rely on black markets, doubling unemployment to 33% by 2020. By 2023, inflation hit 22.97%, and a bag of rice soared from ₦8,000 to ₦35,000. Over 133 million Nigerians fell into multidimensional poverty, cementing Nigeria’s status as the world’s poverty capital.

The human cost was profound. Small business owners in places like Lagos and Onitsha shut down due to import costs, while families skipped meals to afford basics. Buhari’s unorthodox monetary policies, rooted in his suspicion of free-market reforms, were criticized by economist Bismarck Rewane as “too little, too late.” X users, like @renoomokri, described Buhari’s tenure as Nigeria hitting “rock bottom.” The recession’s ripple effects: joblessness, hunger, and despair left Nigerians grappling with a survival crisis, a tragedy of broken dreams and eroded livelihoods. ()

Herder-Farmer clashes and communal carnage

The escalation of herder-farmer clashes, particularly in the Middle Belt, was another tragedy that defined Buhari’s presidency. Between 2015 and 2023, clashes between Fulani herders and farming communities killed thousands, with a 2018 attack in Benue State claiming 86 lives. Buhari, a Fulani, faced accusations of inaction, with critics on social media, alleging bias. The violence displaced over 2 million people, destroyed farmlands, and fueled ethnic tensions, with communities arming themselves in distrust of security forces.

For victims, the tragedy was personal and systemic. The failure to implement grazing policies or address root causes like land competition left a legacy of division and loss, with Nigerians still grappling with the fallout of unaddressed communal strife.

The Twitter ban

In June 2021, Buhari’s government banned Twitter for seven months after the platform removed a tweet by the president deemed abusive for referencing Nigeria’s civil war. The ban, affecting over 40 million Nigerian users, was a direct assault on free speech, drawing condemnation from human rights groups. Businesses reliant on social media, collapsed, while activists faced censorship. The ban, lifted in January 2022, was seen as a sign of Buhari’s authoritarian tendencies, with critics on social media linking it to his broader human rights failures. This tragedy of silenced voices deepened distrust in governance, leaving a chilling effect on Nigeria’s vibrant digital space.

Conclusion

The tragedies of Buhari’s presidency: the Lekki massacre, rampant kidnappings, economic collapse, herder-farmer violence, and the Twitter ban left Nigerians reeling from loss, fear, and disillusionment. These events, rooted in governance failures and unfulfilled promises, are etched in the nation’s memory. Nigerians lament Buhari’s squandered goodwill, noting how poverty, insecurity, and repression worsened under his watch. For Nigerians, these tragedies are not just historical footnotes but lived experiences that shape their demand for accountability. As Bola Tinubu navigates Nigeria’s challenges, the ghosts of Buhari’s era serve as a stark reminder: leadership must deliver justice and progress, or risk deepening a nation’s wounds.