Buhari’s Legacy: A Critical Assessment of Insecurity and Economic Decline
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure, spanning from 2015 to 2023, has become a subject of intense scrutiny and debate. While Buhari has claimed significant improvements in Nigeria’s security and economy during his time in office, critics like APC chieftain Josef Onoh argue that his administration was marked by escalating insecurity, widespread corruption, and economic collapse. Onoh contends that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is grappling with the consequences of Buhari’s alleged mismanagement.
Onoh refutes Buhari’s assertion of inheriting a troubled economy and security situation from the previous PDP government, highlighting the sharp rise in casualties under Buhari’s watch. Citing data from the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), Onoh points to a dramatic increase in the number of deaths, from 34,972 before Buhari’s inauguration to 98,083 by May 16, 2023. He meticulously outlines the yearly death tolls, emphasizing the alarming trend of escalating violence throughout Buhari’s presidency. Onoh asserts that the level of insecurity experienced during this period was unprecedented, surpassing even the levels witnessed during the Nigerian Civil War.
Further challenging Buhari’s narrative, Onoh cites Nigeria’s poor rankings in global indices during Buhari’s presidency. He references Nigeria’s placement as the third most terrorized country in the 2019 Global Terrorism Index, trailing only Afghanistan and Iraq. He also highlights Nigeria’s low ranking in the Global Peace Index and its classification as one of the most fragile states globally and within Africa. Onoh attributes these grim statistics to the Buhari administration’s alleged insensitivity and the ineffectiveness of its security apparatus, which allowed non-state actors to operate with impunity. He credits the Tinubu administration with bringing peace to Southern Kaduna, a region plagued by violence under Buhari’s leadership.
Onoh extends his critique to Buhari’s handling of the economy, arguing that the pervasive insecurity negatively impacted the business environment and deterred both foreign and domestic investment. He cites the example of the abandoned Baga fish market, a once-thriving economic hub in the North East, devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency. Onoh contends that Buhari’s failure to address insecurity directly contributed to the economic downturn, leaving a legacy of hardship that the Tinubu administration is now struggling to overcome.
Onoh accuses the Buhari administration of monumental corruption, highlighting instances of alleged financial impropriety. He subtly alludes to specific cases, including the alleged enrichment of a recharge card seller who became a billionaire and the controversy surrounding a serving Central Bank governor’s presidential campaign, suggesting the misuse of public funds. Onoh portrays Buhari’s eight years as a period characterized by rampant corruption, using evocative language to describe it as "the Las Vegas of insecurity and corruption."
In conclusion, Onoh presents a scathing indictment of Buhari’s legacy, directly challenging the former president’s claims of success. He paints a stark picture of escalating insecurity, economic decline, and widespread corruption, arguing that these issues are the direct result of Buhari’s policies and leadership. He emphasizes the burden inherited by the Tinubu administration, asserting that the current government is grappling with the consequences of Buhari’s alleged mismanagement. Onoh’s critique underscores the deep divisions and ongoing debate surrounding Buhari’s two terms as president and their impact on Nigeria’s trajectory.
