Nigerians are not idiots. Nigerians know the true legacy of Muhammad Buhari. Nigerians have been unfortunate in their political leadership. Nigeria has not been spared of despotic and corrupt leadership since independence 65 years ago.
Nigeria’s leadership reminds me of the tale of the Dog, the Sheep, and the Wolves. The Wolves sent an ambassador to the Sheep, convincing them that the Dog was their oppressor. Beleving the ambassador, the Sheep chased the Dog away, thinking they could now lead themselves. That very night, the Wolves feasted them. This perfectly illustrates Nigerian politics. In Nigeria, leaders with genuine intentions are often removed or killed by the very people they sought to protect. Visionary leaders are demonized, while wolves in sheep’s clothing and corrupt elites thrive.
When you open a history book you read about legacies that are of grave importance. You read about heroes of the past in all spheres of human endeavors who ignited change that shape a country, a people, and the world as we know it. Many of their impacts continue to improve lives long after they are gone.
Evil leaders exist. Leaders come in a range of abilities and outcomes in performance. We have great, good, bad, yes, evil leaders. One fact stands out: regardless of how evil leaders are, there will be followers.
The legacy of Muhammadu Buhari invokes the legacy of an evil leader. His legacy features deep-seated societal trauma, institutional corruption, erosion of trust, lasting economic devastation, a people paralyzed by fear and division.
Buhari left a legacy of damaged institutions: corrupted legal systems, politicized military/police, and weakened democracy. He left economic ruin in form of stolen resources, unsustainable debt, infrastructure decay, and disruption of legitimate lives.
Buhari is remembered for erosion of truth – propaganda, historical revisionism, suppression of free press, distorted narratives and permanent division. He fostered “us vs. them” mentalities, ethnic/religious strife, and political polarization that persists. He left behind a country that becomes accustomed to cruelty, corruption, and crisis.
Legacy of Buhari’s 8-year rule can best be summed up under seven categories: incompetence, rigidity, intemperance, callousness, corruption, insularity, and evil.
