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Buhari death don create political vacuum for Northern Nigeria?
Buhari death don create political vacuum for Northern Nigeria?

BBC News

time4 days ago

  • Politics
  • BBC News

Buhari death don create political vacuum for Northern Nigeria?

Di death of former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, don get significant impact for di kontri political scene, especially for di northern region. Sabi pipo say im death fit start beta struggle for power for di north as di 2027 general elections dey draw nearer. For dis region, dem bin dey see Buhari was as not just ordinary politician, but as bridge wey connect di poor to di political elite. Many believe say e inherited im grassroots support base from di late president, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, as e develop a cult-like following among di urban and rural poor (wey dem dey call di "talakawa" for Hausa language). Buhari image as a man of integrity bin fetch am massive 12 million votes, mostly from di north, during di 2011 presidential election. Di former major general who im supporters dey call "Sai Baba", bin achieve dis wit limited resources and despite say e no get nationwide political operation. E later lead im opposition All Progressives Congress to ogbonge victory for di 2015 presidential election, as e win 15.4 million votes and beat di incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan, by more dan 2.5 million votes. Dis mark di turning point for Buhari who bicom di most powerful politician for di kontri. "I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody," e tok for im 2015 inaugural speech. Dis statement shock di political class for Nigeria, as e mean say tins no go be business as usual for dose wey place personal ambition bifor ideology. "Im speech shock di elitist class and plenty of dem bin run comot from di kontri afta dat," Professor Khalid Aliyu, di Secretary-General of Jama'atu Nasril Islam, JNI, tok. Gimba Kakanda, Senior Special Assistant to di President on Research and Analytics, say Buhari bin surprise many pipo who bin initially dismiss am as a parochial northerner or religious extremist wey no get intention to unite di kontri. "E show say e dey willing to engage and work wit all parts of di federation. Di 2015 speech bin capture di essence of dat transformation and intent," e tok. However, no be evribody bin dey convinced. Journalist Nicholas Ibekwe believe say Buhari statement later turn out to be just ordinary catchy quote. "E no live up to am wen e dey for power. Most of di important positions na northerners e give dem to. So, wetin e bin really mean?" e tok. "Buhari na just fortunate politician wey get political charisma, but e neva at any time rally di north for a particular course outside of im interest." Man of integrity Although Buhari bin come under fire for im first term for office sake of im handling of security, economic and corruption issues, e still win ogbonge victory for di 2019 elections. Again, most of im vote base come from di north. For di 2023 presidential election, as e dey prepare to comot from office, Buhari again make history. Dis time e refuse to endorse any of di candidates. Dis na di first time wey sitting president go openly refuse to support anybodi for im party primary election. Instead, e declare say e go support whoever win di party ticket, to create level playing field and throw di race open. "E good say e bin chose to dey neutral and to only be a guide. E bin no want to interfer for pipo affairs," JNI Professor Aliyu tok. However, some bin tink say by doing dat, e don squander opportunity to solidify im own political strength. As e leave office two years ago, Buhari bin dey vocal about im own future as e tok say e no want to be disturbed. E no be surprise say afta e hand over to President Bola Tinubu, he retire to im hometown for Katsina state and no too dey appear for public. "Im death go create very big vacuum. We see how afta e move to Daura, di place turn to political pilgrimage wit pipo looking for im for guidance and advice," Professor Aliyu tok. "Im core support base fit don diminish towards di end of im tenure, but significant number of di pipo wey believe in him still dey loyal to di very end," Senior Special Assistant Kakanda tok. "Dat kind of loyalty dey rare, and e show di depth of di connection e bin get wit ordinary pipo." But journalist Ibekwe believe say Buhari death no go leave political vacuum for northern Nigeria. "Im supporters bin don always be for only him," e tok. "Weneva e no stand for election, dem bin vote differently for oda pipo." 2027 elections As di formidable figure for northern politics dey buried on Tuesday, many pipo dey ask how dis go affect di chances of im All Progressives Congress party for di 2027 general election. Kakanda believen say im passing go spark power shift for di north. "We dey likely to witness a transition toward a multipolar configuration. Power and influence for di North go now dey more fragmented, sake of diversity of sub-regional and ethnic actors rada dan one single dominant figure," e tok. Concerns dey say President Tinubu fit struggle to consolidate im support for di north without Buhari clout. Dose wey bin rely heavily on im popularity go now need to work extra hard to build dia own alliances and mend political fences. Professor Aliyu say di coming election go see many politicians dey hustle to bicom di next "talakawa" for di north. "Buhari death don pose big challenge for dose wey dey raise dia hands say dem wan lead di people, but for now, we neva see anybody wey go dey like him," e tok. "Whoeva wan bicom di undisputed leader, dem suppose know say Buhari fame no be bicos of wealth. Moni fit buy fame and recognition. But na character, selflessness and service to pipo," e tok. For Senior Special Assistant Kakanda, Buhari death go bring "more competitive" politics for di region. "Di current generation for di North no longer dey reason dat illusion of political redeemer," e tok. "Wetin lie ahead na recalibration, wia political actors must to earn loyalty not thru association wit one singular legacy, but thru di substance of dia vision and dia ability to meet di moment." Additional reporting by Yusuf Akinpelu

'Deeply Saddened': PM Modi Condoles Death Of Former Nigerian President Buhari
'Deeply Saddened': PM Modi Condoles Death Of Former Nigerian President Buhari

News18

time6 days ago

  • Politics
  • News18

'Deeply Saddened': PM Modi Condoles Death Of Former Nigerian President Buhari

Last Updated: Buhari, who led Nigeria twice as a military head of state and a democratic president, passed away at the age of 82 in London, where he had been receiving medical treatment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed anguish at the death of former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, and praised his wisdom, warmth and unwavering commitment to the friendship with India. Buhari, who led Nigeria twice as a military head of state and a democratic president, passed away at the age of 82 in London, where he had been receiving medical treatment. In his condolence message, Modi said on X, 'Deeply saddened by the passing of former President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari. I fondly recall our meetings and conversations on various occasions. His wisdom, warmth and unwavering commitment to India-Nigeria friendship stood out." Deeply saddened by the passing of former President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari. I fondly recall our meetings and conversations on various occasions. His wisdom, warmth and unwavering commitment to India–Nigeria friendship stood out. I join the 1.4 billion people of India in…— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2025 He added, 'I join the 1.4 billion people of India in extending our heartfelt condolences to his family, the people and the government of Nigeria." All About Buhari Buhari, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and military history, served as the President of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. A retired Major General in the Nigerian Army, Buhari first came to national attention as a military ruler following a coup in December 1983. Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari joined the Nigerian Army in 1961 and rose through the ranks, participating in key national military campaigns, including the Nigerian Civil War. His military background heavily influenced his leadership style, both as a military and later a democratic leader. After being ousted in a 1985 coup, Buhari largely stayed out of the public eye until Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999. He ran for president three times unsuccessfully before finally winning the 2015 election as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating incumbent Goodluck Jonathan. His victory was seen as a historic democratic milestone in Nigeria, marking the first time an opposition candidate unseated a sitting president through the ballot box. As president, Buhari prioritized anti-corruption efforts, infrastructure development, and the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. However, his administration also faced criticism over economic challenges, rising insecurity, and concerns about human rights. Buhari chose not to seek a third term and handed over power in May 2023. view comments First Published: July 14, 2025, 13:06 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Nigeria's ex-president Buhari, twice leader of Africa's most populous nation, dies aged 82
Nigeria's ex-president Buhari, twice leader of Africa's most populous nation, dies aged 82

NBC News

time6 days ago

  • Politics
  • NBC News

Nigeria's ex-president Buhari, twice leader of Africa's most populous nation, dies aged 82

LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigeria's former president, Muhammadu Buhari, who led Nigeria twice as a military head of state and a democratic president, has died aged 82, his press secretary said Sunday. Buhari died in London on Sunday afternoon, where he was receiving medical treatment in recent weeks. When he was elected in 2015, on his fourth attempt, he became the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election. He led Africa's most populous nation until 2023, when he was succeeded by Bola Tinubu, also from the All Progressives Congress. Buhari's presidency was plagued by extremist killings, a plunging economy, and burgeoning corruption. He faced similar circumstances when he first took power in 1983, after a military coup. Tinubu dispatched the vice president to bring his body home from London and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as the country enters a mourning period. Coming from Nigeria's largely Muslim north, the lanky, austere Buhari rode on a wave of goodwill off the back of popular anger with the government to be elected president in 2015. He had vowed to end the killings and clean up rampant corruption in one of the continent's largest economies and oil producers. However, by the end of his eight-year tenure, that goodwill toward him had faded into discontent. More Nigerians had died as a result of growing insecurity while corruption spread across the government.

Nigeria's ex-president Buhari, twice leader of Africa's most populous nation, dies aged 82
Nigeria's ex-president Buhari, twice leader of Africa's most populous nation, dies aged 82

CTV News

time6 days ago

  • Politics
  • CTV News

Nigeria's ex-president Buhari, twice leader of Africa's most populous nation, dies aged 82

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari speaks to the media after casting his vote in his hometown of Daura, in northern Nigeria, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File) LAGOS, Nigeria — LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's former president, Muhammadu Buhari, who led Nigeria twice as a military head of state and a democratic president, has died aged 82, his press secretary said Sunday. Buhari died in London on Sunday afternoon, where he was receiving medical treatment in recent weeks. When he was elected in 2015, on his fourth attempt, he became the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election. He led Africa's most populous nation until 2023, when he was succeeded by Bola Tinubu, also from the All Progressives Congress. Buhari's presidency was plagued by extremist killings, a plunging economy, and burgeoning corruption. He faced similar circumstances when he first took power in 1983, after a military coup. Tinubu dispatched the vice president to bring his body home from London and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as the country enters a mourning period. Coming from Nigeria's largely Muslim north, the lanky, austere Buhari rode on a wave of goodwill off the back of popular anger with the government to be elected president in 2015. He had vowed to end the killings and clean up rampant corruption in one of the continent's largest economies and oil producers. However, by the end of his eight-year tenure, that goodwill toward him had faded into discontent. More Nigerians had died as a result of growing insecurity while corruption spread across the government Ope Adetayo, The Associated Press

Nigeria's ex-president Muhammadu Buhari dies aged 82
Nigeria's ex-president Muhammadu Buhari dies aged 82

The Hindu

time6 days ago

  • Politics
  • The Hindu

Nigeria's ex-president Muhammadu Buhari dies aged 82

Nigeria's former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who led Nigeria twice as a military head of state and a democratic president, has died aged 82, his press secretary said on Sunday (July 13, 2025). Mr. Buhari died in London on Sunday afternoon, where he was receiving medical treatment in recent weeks. When he was elected in 2015, on his fourth attempt, he became the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election. He led Africa's most populous nation until 2023, when he was succeeded by Bola Tinubu, also from the All Progressives Congress. Buhari's presidency was plagued by extremist killings, a plunging economy, and burgeoning corruption. He faced similar circumstances when he first took power in 1983, after a military coup. Tinubu dispatched the vice president to bring his body home from London and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as the country enters a mourning period. Coming from Nigeria's largely Muslim north, the lanky, austere Buhari rode on a wave of goodwill off the back of popular anger with the government to be elected president in 2015. He had vowed to end the killings and clean up rampant corruption in one of the continent's largest economies and oil producers. However, by the end of his eight-year tenure, that goodwill toward him had faded into discontent. More Nigerians had died as a result of growing insecurity while corruption spread across the government

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