President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime in Nigeria has been debated and criticized since he assumed office in 2015. This is unsurprising as every government has good, bad, and ugly sides. In this article, we will examine the good, bad, and ugly sides of Buhari’s regime as his administration ends.
The Good
No matter how terrible a government may be, it will surely do at least one good thing. The Buhari administration has made good strides in a few areas. One of the significant achievements of Buhari’s regime is the fight against corruption. This has been a central theme of his administration, and he has made tremendous progress. Through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Buhari’s government has recovered billions of naira in stolen public funds. Additionally, he has implemented policies that promote transparency and accountability in government. Even though most of these monies recovered have not been accounted for, we can assume they have been used confidentially to the best use.
Another area where Buhari’s regime has recorded some successes is agriculture. The government has implemented policies that support farmers and encourage agricultural production. For instance, The Anchor Borrowers Programme has provided farmers with loans and helped boost food production in the country. The government has also invested in infrastructure, such as roads and irrigation systems, to support agricultural production. However, the problem with this initiative is that those saddled with the responsibility to disburse funds and materials to farmers have been guilty of holding them back for personal gain.
In the area of security, Buhari’s regime has made some progress in the fight against terrorism and insurgency. The government has made significant investments in the military, which has helped degrade the capacity of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups. Furthermore, the government has established a regional coalition with neighbouring countries to tackle cross-border security threats. But security is still a significant issue, as Fulani herders killings and genocide in Southern Kaduna loom.
The Bad
One of the significant criticisms of Buhari’s regime is his handling of the economy. The country has experienced a recession under his watch, and many Nigerians suffer from poverty and unemployment. Moreover, despite the government’s efforts to diversify the economy, Nigeria remains heavily reliant on oil exports, which has exposed the country to external shocks.
Another area of concern is the government’s approach to human rights and freedom of speech. Critics have accused the government of criticizing dissenting voices and stifling press freedom. The government has arrested and detained journalists and activists, claiming it is for national security reasons, which has raised concerns about the diminishing democratic space in Nigeria. Furthermore, under his leadership, the government banned Twitter, restricting the freedom of expression of Nigerians.
The Ugly
Perhaps the most visible and controversial aspect of Buhari’s regime is his handling of the Fulani herders crisis. The crisis, characterized by violent clashes between farmers and herders, has killed thousands and displaced millions. Although the government has taken some steps to address the problem, many Nigerians feel that Buhari has not done enough to protect citizens from the marauding herders.
The negligence of the academic sector has also been a problem. Universities were shut down for over a year to press home demands on the Federal Government to provide funds for revitalizing public universities to N1.1 trillion, payment of earned academic allowances, and other needs. Surprisingly, the Federal Government refused to execute the renegotiated agreement, claiming it lacked funds. Rather than toeing the path of honour, the government resorted to mind games and arm-twisting to frustrate ASUU’s strike. It enforced the ‘No Work No Pay’ policy, threatened to proscribe ASUU, and later alleged that all the demands had been met except the withheld salaries. Realizing the futility of these gimmicks, it then sued ASUU at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and registered new academic unions.
In conclusion, Buhari’s regime has had its fair share of achievements and challenges. The fight against corruption and investment in agriculture and security are some of the areas where the government has recorded some successes. However, the government’s handling of the economy, human rights, and the Fulani herders crisis has been a cause for concern. Therefore, the incoming administration needs to address these challenges and work towards building a more prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.
