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BBC News
16-07-2025
- 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
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
As E Dey Happen, Body of Late Mahammadu Buhari arrive Katsina airport
Life and times of former Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari 55 minutes wey don pass Life and times of former Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari Wia dis foto come from, Muhammadu Buhari Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari, wey die at di age 82 na one former military ruler and self-styled converted democrat wey return to power through elections but struggle to convince Nigerians say e fit deliver on di change e promise. E no be natural politician, pipo see am as pesin wey dey difficult and pesin wey no send anybody. But e get reputation for personal honesty – one rare character of a politician for Nigeria. Afta three failed attempts, Buhari bin achieve ogbonge historic victory for 2015, as e become di kontri first opposition candidate to defeat incumbent. For 2019, e dey re-elected for anoda four-year term. Buhari always dey popular among di poor pipo wey dey north (wey dey known as di "talakawa" for Hausa language) but for di 2015 campaign, e bin get di advantage of one united opposition wey tanda strong for im side.
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Life and Times of Former Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari wey die for di age of 82
Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari, wey die at di age 82 na one former military ruler and self-styled converted democrat wey return to power through elections but struggle to convince Nigerians say e fit deliver on di change e promise. E no be natural politician, pipo see am as pesin wey dey difficult and pesin wey no send anybody. But e get reputation for personal honesty – one rare character of a politician for Nigeria. Afta three failed attempts, Buhari bin achieve ogbonge historic victory for 2015, as e become di kontri first opposition candidate to defeat incumbent. For 2019, e dey re-elected for anoda four-year term. Buhari bin always dey popular among di poor pipo wey dey north (wey dey known as di "talakawa" for Hausa language) but for di 2015 campaign, e bin get di advantage of one united opposition wey tanda strong for im side. Many of those wey support am bin reason say im military background and disciplinarian credentials na wetin di kontri need to handle di Islamist insurgency for di north. Buhari also bin promise to tackle corruption and nepotism for govment and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians. But im time for office bin happun di same time wen di prices of oil fall globally, and di time wen di kontri bin experience di worst economic crisis in decades. Im administration bin also come under fire sake of di way e take handle insecurity. While campaigning, e bin promise to defeat di Islamist militant group Boko Haram. But di group continue to be threat and one of dia factions now dey affiliated to di so-called Islamic State group. Di deadly clashes between farmers and ethnic Fulani herders for central Nigeria bin also rise well-well during im administration. Pipo accuse Oga Buhari, wey be Fulani, say e no dey tough enough on di herders and e no do enough to stop di crisis. Di activities of so-called bandits for di north-western part of di kontri bin see di abduction of hundreds of secondary school students. Under im watch, armed forces chop of human rights abuses - like opening fire on anti-police brutality protesters for di Lekki tollgate for Lagos for October 2020. Who be Muhammadu Buhari? Dem born Muhammadu Buhari for December 1942 for Daura for Katsina state for di far north of Nigeria, near di border wit Niger. At di time, na British dey control Nigeria, and e go be anoda 18 years bifor di kontri gain independence. Buhari father, wey die wen e be four, na Fulani, while im mother, wey raise am na Kanuri. For one 2012 interview, Buhari bin tok say im be im papa 23rd child and im mother 13th. E say im only recollection of im father na wen two of dem plus one of im half-brothers bin fall from di back of a horse. Di young Buhari attend primary school for Daura and then boarding school for di city of Katsina. Afta e comot school, dem admit am to di Nigerian Military Training College, e join di Nigerian army shortly afta independence. Buhari do officer training for UK from 1962-1963 and then begin im steady climb up di ranks. In later years, Buhari bin attribute im disciplinarian to di years wey e spend for boarding school, wia corporal punishment na normal tin, and for di military. E dey "lucky" to experience dat kain tough environments, wey teach am to work hard, e tok. For 1966, one military coup and then counter-coup happun for Nigeria - na time of confusion for army officers but Buhari bin always maintain say im be junior and no fit play any significant role for di coup. Less dan 10 years later, under one military government, Buhari don rise to become military govnor of di north-east, one area wey no pass six states then. Afta less dan one year, dem promote Buhari, now for im mid-30s again to federal commissioner for petroleum and natural resources (in effect oil minister) for 1976 under Olusegun Obasanjo for im first term as Nigerian head of state. Indiscipline and corruption By 1978, Buhari, then don become colonel, bin return to be military commander. Im tough stance in 1983 - wen Chadian sojas bin take ova some Nigerian islands for Lake Chad - still dey remembered for di north-east, afta e blockade di area and pursue di invaders. Di end of 1983 bin see anoda coup, against elected President Shehu Shagari, and Buhari, wey now be major-general, become di kontri military ruler. According to im own account, e no dey part of those wey plot di coup, but dem install am (and subsequently discarded) by those wey hold di real power and need figurehead. Oda accounts suggest say e play more active role in removing Shagari pass wetin e dey willing to admit. Buhari bin rule for 20 months, period pipo remember for campaign against indiscipline and corruption, as well as for human rights abuses. Dem jail about 500 politicians, officials and businessmen as part of one campaign against waste and corruption. Some see dis as heavy-handed repression of military rule. Odas remember am as a praiseworthy attempt to fight di endemic corruption wey dey hold back Nigeria development. Buhari retain one rare reputation for honesty among Nigeria politicians, both military and civilian, largely bicos of dis campaign. As part of im "war against indiscipline", e bin order Nigerians to form neat queues for bus stops, under di sharp eyes sojas wey carry cain. Civil servants wey resume late for work bin dey publicly humiliated as sojas force dem to do frog jumps. Some of im measures fit dey seen as merely eccentric. But odas bin dey genuinely oppressive, like one decree to restrict press freedom, under which dem jail journalists. Buhari government also lock up Nigeria greatest musical hero, Fela Kuti – wey be thorn for di side of successive leaders – fake charges wey relate to currency exports. Buhari attempt to re-balance di public finances by reducing imports bin lead to many job losses plus di closure of businesses. As part of im anti-corruption measures, e also order say make dem change di currency – dem change di colour of di naira notes – and force everybody wey get di old notes to exchange dem for banks within a limited period. Prices bin rise while living standards fall, and for August 1985, dem remove Buhari from office and imprison am for 40 months. Army chief Gen Ibrahim Babangida bin take ova. Historic election victory Afta dem release am and, e say, aft aim don see di consequences of di break-up of di Soviet Union, Buhari bin decide to join party politics, now convinced of di virtues of multiparty democracy and free and fair elections. Despite dis, Buhari dey always defend di 1983 coup, e tok for 2005: "Di military come in wen e dey absolutely necessary and di pipo wey dey elected fail di kontri." E also reject accusations say im measures against journalists plus odas bin go too far, e insist say im only dey apply di laws wey odas dey break. Dem elect am as president for 2015, e become di first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent since di return of multiparty democracy for 1999. As president, Buhari bin make a virtue of im "incorruptibility", as e declare im relatively modest wealth and e say e bin "reject several past opportunities" to enrich himself. By nature, e dey tok slowly, wey sometimes dey play well for for di media and sometimes badly. Although few pipo doubt im personal commitment to fighting corruption and plenty notable scalps dey ground. Some question weda di structures wey dey enable mismanagement bin dey really reformed. And attempts to improve youth employment prospects, at best, na work in progress. 'Bag of rice' On di day Buhari comot office, dem ask some Nigerians for one video wey bin go viral on social media, wetin dem go remember most about im time for office, and all respondents tok di same thing: 'Bag of rice'. Di reason dey simple - rice na di most common food for di kontri. A standard 50kg (110lb) bag of rice, wey fit help feed a household of between eight and 10 for about one month, cost just 7,500 naira ($5; £3) under President Goodluck Jonathan, wey Buhari defeat for 2015, but e go up to 60,000 naira few years afta. Dis bin lead to hunger for many parts of di kontri. Di huge increase for di price of rice na sake of say e ban di importation of rice to encourage more Nigerian farmers to grow di crop. However, local producers no fit meet di high demand and many of im supporters bin lost dia faith in him. Ismail Danyaro, one resident of di northern city of Kano, bin tok say im support Buhari since e first contest di presidency for 2003. "I dey buy 50kg bag of rice under Goodluck [Jonathan] but wen Buhari cme, I find am difficult to buy even 25kg bag of rice bicos e dey so expensive," e tell BBC. At one point, even Buhari wife bin threaten say she no go support im re-election bid. 'Baba go slow' Nigerians love nicknames and some of di kontri leaders nicknames bin stick even long afta e comot office. For example, Nigerians still dey call former military leader Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida "Maradona" for wetin pipo see as im tactical dribbles on issues and situations. For Buhari, na "Baba [Father] go slow" afta e take am six months to name im first cabinet afta e enta office for 2015. Reacting to im nickname years later, Buhari say no be im fault say e take so long to get anything done. "Yes, we dey slow bicos di system dey slow. No be Baba dey slow but na di system, so I dey go by dis system and I hope we go make am," e tok for 2018. Nigerian politics for 2022-2023 na still one of d most interesting for di kontri democratic history. For di minds of many, na di first time wey a sitting president wasn't ro go dey really bothered about who go be im successor. Openly, Buhari bin declare say im go support whoever win im party (All Progressives Congress) nomination but insiders say behind di scenes, e no wetin im dey do. Buhari body language bin show say e dey in support of all di five candidates wey dey find di APC endorsement. Dia supporters bin dey go round wit di tok say dem get im backing. At one point, e bin look like say Buhari oppose di candidacy of im eventual successor, Bola Tinubu. Wetin follow na di declaration of di "naira swap policy" wey di Buhari administration announce, plus oda tins, go reduce di influence of money for di 2023 elections. Many Nigerians believe say di policy bin dey targeted to stop Tinubu from becoming president even though na im dem choose as di APC candidate. Di policy bin involve di confiscation of trillions of old naira notes and dia replacement wit new notes for di highest denominations. However, plenty new notes no dey wey lead to shortages and suffering by millions, particularly di less privileged wey dey rely on cash for dia daily transactions. Dem only suspend di policy afta one Supreme Court ruling, just days bifor di election. Tinubu win narrowly, wit 37% of votes cast, as di opposition bin dey divided. Any assessment of Buhari presidency must take account im declining health, wey cause am to take significant absences from work, especially during im first term. Di former military ruler fit don reinvent himself as a democrat but commitment to transparency concerning im own health bin dey coded, as Nigerians no dey informed about di fitness of dia head of state for office. Muhammadu Buhari marry two times, first to Safinatu Yusuf from 1971-1988, and then for 1989 to Aisha Halilu, wey survive am. E get 10 children.
Kuwait Times
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Nigerian Dambe boxing goes global— amulets and charms included
The first strikes in Dambe are thrown before the boxers even leave their house. Fighters don charms and amulets, dye their fist or even score their arm with a razor, inserting traditional medicine before it scars over — all guaranteed to protect them in the ring or deliver a knock-out punch. Combined with prayers from 'mallams', or spiritual guides, they are unstoppable — not just in Nigeria, but increasingly around the world. The Dambe World Series kicked off in Abuja, the capital, on Saturday in the latest evolution of a sport that traces its roots back centuries among west Africa's Hausa speakers. 'Instead of trying to Westernise it, or instead of trying to make it something else, for us the goal is to professionalize it,' said Maxwell Kalu, founder of the West African Fighting Championship, the group organizing the tournament. At the same time, a key goal is also 'opening the door in terms of inviting people to compete in Nigeria'. Held on the ground of the national stadium and broadcast by DAZN, a British sports streaming service, the tournament is a far cry from the social tradition said to have been organized by 10th-century Hausa butchers. 'This one is big, I'm very happy,' said Abdullahi 'Coronavirus' Ali, a 20-year-old who has been fighting since he was a child. 'The audience is growing every day.' As Coronavirus — nicknamed so for his ferocious punches — spoke to AFP, two amateur fighters worked the ring behind him, in a pre-tournament exhibition match in Dei Dei, a working-class Abuja exurb. Chickens pecked under the rickety wooden stands while cigarette smoke wafted above the crowd. In Dambe, in lieu of a glove, the fighters each have one fist tightly bound in rope — their striking arm. The other hand reaches out, feeling the space between the opponents and looking for something to grab or parry before the fighting arm whips forward as if from a loaded spring. Amid the blows, one fighter lost his balance and fell — a 'kill'. The round was over. Faisal Ibrahim, also known as Dan Yellow Tula, a Dambe fighter from House Arewa. Anas Amisu, also known as Dogon Karkarna, a Dambe fighter from House Arewa. A Dambe fighter kicks his opponent during an amateur match. Traditional musicians perform during the Dambe event. Abubakar Nafiu, also known as Shagon Nadada, Dambe fighter from House Kudu. Usman Yusuf, also known as Dogon Sisco, Dambe fighter from House Kudu. Abdullahi Ahmed, also known as Coronavirus, Dambe fighter from House Kudu. Abdullahi Usman, also known as Dan Gudun Hijiara, Dambe fighter from House Gurumada. Auwalu, also known as Dan Bichi, Dambe fighter from House Arewa. Dambe fighters prepare for a match. Domestic, international expansion Dambe might have once seemed destined to be confined to the margins in places like Dei Dei as Abuja's elite paved over anything standing in the way of modern skyscrapers and highways. Slowly, the government has taken more interest in preserving and promoting the sport, as have private groups like the WAFC. With the advent of YouTube and Instagram, Dambe now attracts fans across the world, with one promoter telling BBC in 2017 that 60 percent of his viewers were from outside Nigeria. The sport has also grown at home. In 2018, a Dambe match in the southern city of Lagos drew in spectators curious about their northern countrymen's pastime — and excited to see it in a proper stadium. Earlier this month, athletes from across the continent descended on the megacity for the African Knockout Championship, a Western-style mixed martial arts tournament. But Kalu envisions the opposite: Foreigners making their way to witness a distinctively Nigerian way of fighting. Professionalization also brings the opportunity to bring in safety protocols and stable salaries to the otherwise unregulated combat sport. 'If I get married, I won't allow my children to do it,' said Usman Abubakar, 20, his fist dyed a dark henna color and arm replete with charmed scars, recalling an injury to the chest that saw him sit out for two years. Foreigners welcome Saturday's fighters will be competing to represent Nigeria in what is envisioned as a multi-stage, international series. Last year, supported by the WAFC, British national Luke Leyland travelled from Liverpool to compete in a Dambe match — reportedly the first white fighter to ever do so. He was 'destroyed', according to one local media report, though he wrote positively of the experience. Nigerian fighters remain cool on the idea of sharing the spoils of victory. Asked what would happen if non-Nigerians started competing, 'Coronavirus', Abubakar and a third fighter, Anas Hamisu, were all excited at the prospect of more people embracing their sport. But they also all shared the same prediction: The Nigerians would win. – AFP
eNCA
28-06-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Nigerian Dambe boxing goes global -- amulets and charms included
The first strikes in Dambe are thrown before the boxers even leave their house. Fighters don charms and amulets, dye their fist or even score their arm with a razor, inserting traditional medicine before it scars over -- all guaranteed to protect them in the ring or deliver a knock-out punch. Combined with prayers from "mallams", or spiritual guides, they are unstoppable -- not just in Nigeria, but increasingly around the world. The Dambe World Series kicked off in Abuja, the capital, on Saturday in the latest evolution of a sport that traces its roots back centuries among west Africa's Hausa speakers. "Instead of trying to Westernise it, or instead of trying to make it something else, for us the goal is to professionalise it," said Maxwell Kalu, founder of the West African Fighting Championship, the group organising the tournament. At the same time, a key goal is also "opening the door in terms of inviting people to compete in Nigeria". Held on the ground of the national stadium and broadcast by DAZN, a British sports streaming service, the tournament is a far cry from the social tradition said to have been organised by 10th-century Hausa butchers. "This one is big, I'm very happy," said Abdullahi "Coronavirus" Ali, a 20-year-old who has been fighting since he was a child. "The audience is growing every day." As Coronavirus -- nicknamed so for his ferocious punches -- spoke to AFP, two amateur fighters worked the ring behind him, in a pre-tournament exhibition match in Dei Dei, a working-class Abuja exurb. Chickens pecked under the rickety wooden stands while cigarette smoke wafted above the crowd. In Dambe, in lieu of a glove, the fighters each have one fist tightly bound in rope -- their striking arm. The other hand reaches out, feeling the space between the opponents and looking for something to grab or parry before the fighting arm whips forward as if from a loaded spring. Amid the blows, one fighter lost his balance and fell -- a "kill". The round was over. - Domestic, international expansion - Dambe might have once seemed destined to be confined to the margins in places like Dei Dei as Abuja's elite paved over anything standing in the way of modern skyscrapers and highways. Slowly, the government has taken more interest in preserving and promoting the sport, as have private groups like the WAFC. AFP | OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT With the advent of YouTube and Instagram, Dambe now attracts fans across the world, with one promoter telling BBC in 2017 that 60 percent of his viewers were from outside Nigeria. The sport has also grown at home. In 2018, a Dambe match in the southern city of Lagos drew in spectators curious about their northern countrymen's pastime -- and excited to see it in a proper stadium. Earlier this month, athletes from across the continent descended on the megacity for the African Knockout Championship, a Western-style mixed martial arts tournament. AFP | OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT But Kalu envisions the opposite: foreigners making their way to witness a distinctively Nigerian way of fighting. Professionalisation also brings the opportunity to bring in safety protocols and stable salaries to the otherwise unregulated combat sport. "If I get married, I won't allow my children to do it," said Usman Abubakar, 20, his fist dyed a dark henna colour and arm replete with charmed scars, recalling an injury to the chest that saw him sit out for two years. - Foreigners welcome - Saturday's fighters will be competing to represent Nigeria in what is envisioned as a multi-stage, international series. Last year, supported by the WAFC, British national Luke Leyland travelled from Liverpool to compete in a Dambe match -- reportedly the first white fighter to ever do so. AFP | OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT He was "destroyed", according to one local media report, though he wrote positively of the experience. Nigerian fighters remain cool on the idea of sharing the spoils of victory. Asked what would happen if non-Nigerians started competing, "Coronavirus", Abubakar and a third fighter, Anas Hamisu, were all excited at the prospect of more people embracing their sport. But they also all shared the same prediction: the Nigerians would win. nro/sbk By Nicholas Roll
