By: Amir Abdulazeez

During the early and mid-months of 2002, I usually visit an uncle (now late) who generously provided me with newspapers often before he even read them himself. On one such visit, I picked up a copy of the Daily Trust, a relatively new publication at the time, and while flipping through its pages, I read the delightful news that not only made me happy but also propelled me into a brief career in partisan politics. Retired General Muhammadu Buhari had decided to join democratic politics and announced his entry into the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).

At the time, the Obasanjo-led administration was widely perceived to be underperforming, failing to sincerely address Nigeria’s mounting challenges. The PDP had morphed into a formidable political giant, while the ANPP was weakening steadily; other newly registered parties existed only in the briefcases of their founders. Buhari’s decision to join politics at that time represented the single most decisive decision that changed the Nigerian democratic landscape in the last 25 years. Youths, pensioners, activists, comrades, veterans and even fence-sitters found a new rallying point and almost everyone else joined the new messiah.

Although many harbored reservations about Buhari; especially those whose interests had been hurt during his military regime or the post-1999 established elite who saw him as a threat, I was among the countless young Nigerians who adored Buhari to a fault. My admiration for him was so intense that another uncle once felt compelled to caution me. It was just before the 2003 presidential election when he walked into my room, saw a large framed portrait of Buhari on my wall, smiled, and advised me to moderate my obsession.

My love for Buhari began about 30 years ago. The establishment of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) by General Sani Abacha’s administration in 1994 coincided with our early years in secondary school. By the time the Fund was a year old in 1995, the name of Muhammadu Buhari was on the lips of virtually all Nigerians. In my estimation then, he was the only tangible good thing about the Abacha government. In fact, he appeared to be more popular than Abacha himself; a hypothesis that reportedly inspired Obasanjo to scrap the Fund in 1999 to avoid ‘running a government inside a government’.

I vividly recall a day in 1995 or 1996 when I accompanied my father to a bookshop. The PTF low-price edition of every book we went to buy was available at a 50% or so discount without any compromise in quality. While paying the money, I could see the smile on my father’s face reflecting deep satisfaction and appreciation for the work of the PTF. That was the first time in my life I truly felt and understood the direct impact of government on the people. In pharmacies, PTF drugs were sold at subsidized rates. There was no propaganda, rhetoric, cosmetics, or media packaging; the work of Buhari’s PTF was there for everyone to see and touch. I was lucky as a young lad to join elders in travels across the country from 1995-1997. I got tired of seeing the PTF road projects that I once asked: “Why won’t this Buhari return as president to fix Nigeria?”

Muhammadu Buhari, a constant figure in Nigerian political discourse since 1983, is now gone. Few anticipated his death, as the brief illness he suffered in London seemed either a rumor or a routine medical trip. Ironically, many of his detractors had “killed” him multiple times in the past; some of them dying before he did. In 2014, former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose ran a notorious advert predicting Buhari wouldn’t last months in office if elected. Yet he won, served for eight years, and died just months short of turning 83.

Buhari lived a long, dedicated, and enduring life of service and commitment to Nigeria, spanning about six decades in both military and civilian capacities. Save perhaps for Obasanjo, there’s no Nigerian, dead or alive, matches his array of public portfolios. His personal reputation for discipline, honesty, integrity, and austerity endured throughout his public life. He stood as a symbol of principled and stoic leadership and left behind a legacy that will continue to resonate for generations.

Just before his death, the debate of who made him president in 2015 resurfaced with an exchange of tantrums between some pro-Tinubu and pro-Buhari gladiators. While I found the debate outdated, my position remains that Buhari ought to have become president 12 years earlier. For the avoidance of doubt, Muhammadu Buhari did not lose the 2003 presidential elections, it was brutally rigged to return Obasanjo for a second term. That year’s election ranks among the most fraudulent in modern global history. In 2007, the presidential election results were simply fabricated, so we can’t even call that an election, not to talk of who won or lost.

Despite my immense love for Buhari, I was left with no choice but to join his critics after 2015. Less than a year in, it became clear that his government lacked the vision and effectiveness many had hoped for. In 2015, I queued until about 10:00 p.m. to vote for him, believing he was Nigeria’s last chance. By 2018, disappointed, I called for him to serve just one term. I argued then that if he couldn’t lead like Nelson Mandela, he could at least exit like Mandela. By 2021, while in his second term, I was so disillusioned that I openly advocated for his impeachment.

It still remains a mystery how our much beloved, tested and trusted (his campaign slogan in 2003) Buhari failed fell so short of expectations. Some blamed his arrogant and underperforming appointees; others cited a fractured and directionless party. But ultimately, he bore the responsibility. His inability or unwillingness to discipline ineffective ministers eroded his credibility. In 2022, during the eight-month strike by university lecturers, I contacted one of his aides (a relative), who confirmed that it was Buhari’s ministers not Buhari himself who opposed paying the lecturers. Another indicator that he wasn’t really in charge.

In the midst of the storm, Buhari’s administration managed to attain some landmark achievements and notable milestones in infrastructure, social welfare, and the fight against terrorism. He delivered the elusive Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna railways and upgraded numerous critical road networks. His government implemented the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which significantly improved public financial transparency and curbed leakages. Buhari’s war against Boko Haram yielded mixed results but succeeded in reclaiming substantial territory from insurgents. He introduced arguably the largest Social Investment Program in the history of Africa, targeting millions of beneficiaries through initiatives like N-Power, Trader Moni, Survival Fund, Anchor Borrowers Scheme, and conditional cash transfers.

Nigerians are free to hold divergent views on Buhari. But there should be decency in how we express those views. No one is without flaws; we all have our good and bad sides. One day, we too shall pass, and others will speak of us. Buhari had both triumphs and failings; some reaped benefits, others suffered losses. If you can pray for him, please do. If not, be measured in your words.

The past few days have witnessed a flurry of deaths, a sobering reminder that life is fleeting and death inevitable. Today’s giants will one day lie lifeless. When Garba Shehu broke the news of Buhari’s death, I immediately made up my mind to put up a tribute. A few minutes after the announcement, I went to his Wikipedia page to corroborate some information about the general. To my surprise, the information about his death had already been updated: “Muhammadu Buhari (1942-2025)”—so swiftly? I said to myself. Baba is gone. May Allah forgive and grant him Jannatul-Firdaus.

July 15, 2025

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo mnipr

I came across a video by Sunday Igboho, the notorious separatist mocking the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari. But what I can make out of it, is the inherent imbecility of an ethnic jingoist who never hides his hate for the Fulani race.

Our own Muhammadu Buhari has lived a life worthy of emulation. He started as a young Army officer and rose to the rank of Major General and Head of State. He was an incorruptible leader and fulfilled his dream on earth as a democratically elected president for eight years.He was a good family man and a lover of humanity, and his country.

He lived for 82 years, that was a huge grace bestowed on him by his Creator. He didn’t die young as he had seen his grandchildren.

In the entire Sunday Igboho’s family let him show one eminent personality like that of Muhammadu Buhari.Certainly he can’t find one till eternity .You were clamouring for secession , shouting Yoruba Nation must get their country and as a responsible and proactive president he can’t fold his hand and be watching while you set the country on fire.Our Constitution allows him to deal with people like you.Buhari fought civil war as an Army officer to keep Nigeria as one indivisible entity.

In that video he referred to Muhammadu Buhari as a criminal.It is obvious that the separatist is the criminal not highly respected Dan Daura across Africa and beyond.

“Buhari wanted to kill me years ago, but now he has died before me.” He said

The imbecile should know that no one would live on this earth forever. Whoever that is alive should be scared of the kind of death he or she would experience, because no one knows the circumstances that would culminate his or her death.

Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country are mourning Muhammadu Buhari. He was a great leader who had empathy for the downtrodden. His philosophy was against stealing public funds. Adieu Muhammadu Buhari

To Igboho, let him live on the earth forever… It’s pitiful and embarrassing that such an uncultured and morally bankrupt mind is allegedly leading a call for a Yoruba nation.

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com

BY
INUWA WAYA

“You are the leaders of tomorrow”. “You are the future generation”. “ You are our hope”. “We are planning for your tomorrow”. These are the phrases society relied upon to give hope and aspirations to our youth. Being an aggregate of people living together, this article chooses the word “Society” as opposed to government or community which are narrow in scope.

What is being discussed herein affect everyone and everything. Willy nilly, the youth are the future leaders. The issues to consider are the type of society they would lead, the level of their preparedness and what levers the society is using to prepare them for leadership. The term “youth” generally refers to the period between childhood and adulthood,its exact age range can vary depending on the context. The United Nations and the World Health Organisation put the age range between 18 to 24, while the African charter defined it between 18 to 35.

Clearly from the age brackets, the youth are the most productive class of any society. The way and manner the society treats these productive class is therefore of utmost interest to us. Ditto for the youth’s understanding of their role as first class materials in any society. From the way they conduct their affairs , the Nigerian youth it appears do not appropriate their importance.

They are weak, vulnerable and debased with very little sympathy and empathy. This class of otherwise proud people had embarked on a misadventure that would if care is not taken, destroy them for good. It is only a fraction of them that understood the purpose of their existence and are determined to make the best Use of it.
In the current dispensation, the youth’s involvement in political activities leaves much to be desired. They virtually contribute nothing in terms of political development. They are used as political hirelings and online mercenaries. They specialised in verbal attacks and acts of political thuggery. They lacked the initiative to establish a grassroots based political movement that would transform into a political party in order to wrestle power from the hands of the old brigade. The way their peers in other parts of the World liberated themselves. In their flock, our youth have shown appetite in acquiring wealth and depicting an ostentatious lifestyle. Acting as buffoons and nincompoops, they hardly surprise anybody whenever they act without civility and respect. Instead of focusing on productivity and securing their future, our youth had adopted a deviant behaviour. They resorted to taking drugs and other type of narcotics. 80% of the patients at the NDLEA rehabilitation centres and those in the psychiatric hospitals around the Country are youth receiving treatments for drugs and substance addiction. This particular problem is an epidemic of alarming proportion that is destroying the lives of our youth. The influence of drugs leads to all vices including the commission of crimes. From misdemeanours to capital offences, the number of our youth as inmates in various Correctional facilities in the Country are very troubling. From petty thieves and common criminals, many of them came out from the correctional facilities to become hardened criminals and fraudsters, thereby making their incarceration counterproductive.

Perhaps the major area where our tears must drop for our youth relates to their search for greener pasture in foreign Countries. Nigerian youth are scattered in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the United States of America. A significant number of them, however, ended up in various prisons. The offences for which Nigerian youth are convicted in foreign lands are, drug-related offences, robbery, murder, wired fraud, identity theft, computer fraud, romance scam, fraudulent claims, email compromise, domestic violence and violence related to cultists activities. In most cases, our youth are deported upon completion of their prison terms. In recent months, substantial number of ex- convicts were deported from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, India, United kingdom and United States of America to mention but a few. Almost all the deportees were brought to their mother land in a depressive condition having suffered indignities at the deportation camps. Apart from the toll such takes on the life of those affected, there is an enormous amount of damage that is caused to the green passport at the International arena. It was on account of the way our youth behaved abroad, that Nigerians are subjected to embarrassing searches and rigorous scrutiny at the International airports. It is also because of their behaviour that foreign investors are wary of coming to explore the Nigerian market.

Direct foreign investment may become elusive if such criminal practices continue unabated. The exportation of crime to foreign countries tragically effected the position of our Country among the committee of Nations. It is because of that diminished status that many Countries refused to give entry visas to Nigerians. Innocent people who have genuine businesses abroad are prevented because of the cruel attitude of some Nigerians. There is no amount of plea or representation that would change the attitude any Country regarding entry visa to Nigerians, unless those responsible for these crimes repent. Based on the aforementioned, the task before the society is gigantic. First in preparing the youth for leadership and second in making them understand their pivotal role in the overall development of the society. The Federal, states and local governments should create the necessary synergy. They must review their policies especially as it affects the youth. Government should note that our youth have nowhere to call home but Nigeria. Its only in this Country they can enjoy rights and privileges. The global economic meltdown is forcing Countries to turn their back on foreigners. The United States had embarked on massive deportation of undocumented immigrants. They have introduced strict visa requirements to discourage economic migrants and students who may want to do a part-time job while studying in the US. The United Kingdom had equally carried out mass deportation and would soon introduce tougher visa rules. Generally in Europe, the nationalist parties are gaining popularity on daily basis because of their uncompromising stand on immigration. More than ever before, Nigerian governments at all levels must create wealth and distribute it evenly to assist our youth . Policies that would enhance job opportunities must be put in place as a matter of urgency. The current arrangements to tackle youth unemployment should be reviewed and fresh ideas injected. Commercial Banks should be brought in to handle all aspects of youth empowerment through loans for small scale and medium enterprises. The involvement of Banks would bring professionalism and ensure that appropriate mechanisms are put in place for judicious disbursement and repayment of these loans. Through the coordination of the three tiers of government, vast agricultural land should be carved out and allocated to our youth who are interested in farming. The Bank of agriculture should shortlist prospective applicants for loans, while its administration and disbursement should be handled by commercial Banks. Government should fully fund our universities and polytechnics and fast-track the development of science and technology. In order to fully engage our youth in education and scholarship, the government should declare a state of emergency on education by introducing free education in all government tertiary institutions for the next 10 years. That will enable qualified students from poor families to benefit from that intervention. The fight against drug abuse and trafficking must be vigorously pursued to save our youth from destruction. we must appreciate the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for their doggedness in combating drug-related offences. In addition to fighting internal crimes, the law enforcement agencies must continue to fight crimes that bring shame and embarrassment to our nation. Here, we must salute the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its fight against the so-called “yahoo boys”. All other crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, fraud and the rest of them must be completely eradicated by our security agencies. The Nigerian Correctional Services must be reformed to make it truly correctional and reformatory, such that inmates who are convicted on minor offences should not be release as hardened criminals. The administration of criminal justice must address the menace of prison congestion especially as it relates to the awaiting trial mates many of who spent years awaiting trail. Justice delayed is justice denied.

In conclusion and in as much as we implore the society to rescue our youth from the road to perdition, the bulk of the work lies with them. They must wake up from slumber and eject themselves from mental slavery. They must understand that their future is at stake. It is their responsibility to shape their destiny. It is time to have an attitudinal change. It is time for soul-searching. what they do today would make or mar
their future and by extension, the future of the society. All we require our youth to do is to be patriotic, to be obedient to the constituted authority and to participate in the political process by championing accountability and governance. Period.