This article examines the successes and failures of Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency in Nigeria, including economic policies, security policies and measures, infrastructure development, foreign relations, controversies, and public opinion.
Muhammadu Buhari’s Pros as President
When Muhammadu Buhari was elected as president of Nigeria in 2015, many people had high hopes for his presidency. A former military leader, Buhari had a reputation for being tough on corruption and a disciplinarian. One of his first moves was to implement a Treasury Single Account (TSA) system, which helped to curb corruption and prevent the mismanagement of public funds.
Another pro of Buhari’s presidency is his fight against Boko Haram, a terrorist group that has been wreaking havoc in Nigeria for years. Under Buhari’s leadership, the Nigerian military made significant progress in fighting against Boko Haram. They have captured or killed many of the group’s senior commanders.
Finally, President Buhari’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s infrastructure cannot be ignored. His administration has significantly invested in road and rail projects, power generation, and distribution. These investments have helped to improve the country’s economy and create jobs for Nigerians.
Muhammadu Buhari’s Cons as President
Despite the pros of Buhari’s presidency, there have also been significant cons. One of the biggest criticisms of Buhari’s administration is his handling of the economy. Under his leadership, Nigeria has experienced its worst economic recession in decades, with high inflation and unemployment rates. Many Nigerians have been left struggling to make ends meet, and there have been widespread protests against the government’s economic policies.
Another con of Buhari’s presidency is his handling of the security situation in Nigeria. While his administration has made progress in the fight against Boko Haram, other security challenges, such as the Fulani herders crisis, have been largely ignored. The government’s response to these crises has been slow and ineffective, leaving many Nigerians feeling unsafe in their country.
Finally, critics accuse Buhari’s administration of lacking transparency and accountability. There have been several corruption and nepotism allegations within the government. However, the president has been accused of disregarding these issues.
An Analysis of Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Policies
One of the areas where Buhari’s presidency has been most criticized is his handling of the economy. The country faced economic challenges when he came into office in 2015, but his leadership had only worsened. The government’s economic policies have mainly been criticized for focusing on short-term fixes rather than long-term solutions.
One of the Nigerian economy’s biggest challenges is over-reliance on oil revenues. Buhari’s administration has tried to diversify the economy, but progress has been slow. The continued dominance of the oil sector has primarily overshadowed the government’s focus on agriculture and mining.
Another issue with Buhari’s economic policies is the government’s handling of the naira. The currency has been devalued multiple times recently, leading to high inflation and declining purchasing power for Nigerians. The government’s attempts to control the exchange rate have been largely unsuccessful, leading to a thriving black market for foreign currency.
An Overview of Muhammadu Buhari’s Security Policies
Buhari’s presidency faced several security challenges, with the fight against Boko Haram being the most attention-grabbing. Although the government has shown progress, it has mostly ignored the other security challenges like the Fulani herders crisis and the uprising of banditry in the northwest.
One of the criticisms of President Buhari’s security policies is his reliance on the military to solve all security challenges. While the military has made some progress in the fight against Boko Haram, the government’s response to other security challenges has been slow and ineffective. There have been calls for the government to adopt a more holistic approach to security, including addressing the root causes of these security challenges.
Also, another issue with Buhari’s security policies is the government’s response to human rights abuses by security agencies. There have been numerous reports of extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary arrests by security agencies, with little or no accountability for those responsible.
Muhammadu Buhari’s Achievements in Infrastructure Development
One of the areas where Buhari’s presidency has been most praised is his administration’s investments in infrastructure development. The government has significantly invested in road and rail projects, power generation,n and distribution. These investments have helped to improve the country’s economy and create jobs for Nigerians.
One of the flagship projects of Buhari’s administration is the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project, which aims to improve connectivity between Lagos and other parts of the country. The project has been ongoing since 2013, but Buhari’s administration has made significant progress in completing the project.
Another major infrastructure project is the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, completed in 2016. The project has helped to improve connectivity between the capital city and other parts of the country and has contributed to the growth of small businesses in the area.
Muhammadu Buhari’s Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Relations
Buhari’s foreign policy has been primarily focused on improving Nigeria’s relations with other African countries. His administration has tried to strengthen ties with countries like Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia, and other African nations. Buhari has also been vocal in supporting regional integration and has tried to promote trade and investment between African countries.
In addition, another focus of Buhari’s foreign policy has been the fight against corruption. He has tried repatriating stolen funds from foreign countries, and his administration has worked closely with other countries to tackle money laundering and other financial crimes.
Controversies Surrounding Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency
Buhari’s presidency is notorious for multiple controversies, such as mishandling the Shi’ite crisis, detaining political activists like Omoyele Sowore, and alleged ethnic bias towards the Fulani group. Critics widely condemn the government’s handling of the Shi’ite crisis, with a belief of human rights violations and unwarranted use of force. The detention of political activists has also received criticism from Nigerians who demand their release.
Another controversy surrounding Buhari’s presidency is his alleged favouritism towards the Fulani ethnic group. Critics criticize the government for being too lenient towards the Fulani herders crisis, leading to accusations of ethnic bias.
Public Perception of Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency
The public holds a divided view of Buhari’s presidency. Some people perceive him as a strong and decisive leader, while others deem him ineffective and out of touch. One of the biggest criticisms of his presidency is his lack of communication with the Nigerian people. He rarely addresses the nation on important issues, leaving many Nigerians feeling disconnected from their government.
Another issue with Buhari’s presidency is his perceived lack of empathy towards Nigerians. Critics accuse his administration of being insensitive to the plight of ordinary Nigerians while handling the economic recession and other security challenges.
Conclusion
Buhari’s presidency is notorious for multiple controversies. These controversies include mishandling the Shi’ite crisis, detaining political activists like Omoyele Sowore, and alleged ethnic bias towards the Fulani group. Critics widely condemn the government’s handling of the Shi’ite crisis, believing it violates human rights and uses unnecessary force. The detention of political activists has also received criticism from Nigerians who demand their release.
