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By Oscar Okhifo
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong and several civil society groups have strongly criticized the leadership of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing his administration as one of Nigeria’s most repressive and ineffective governments ever.
Speaking in the wake of Buhari’s death, the lawyer condemned the former President’s legacy, accusing him of trampling on democratic values and failing to deliver on key promises made when he assumed office in 2015.
“Buhari’s tenure was a colossal disaster. He presided over one of the most lawless and repressive Governments in Nigeria’s democratic history,” the lawyer said.
“He promised to fight corruption, end insecurity, and revive the economy. But what we got was monumental failure on all fronts.”
He pointed to multiple instances where the Buhari-led Government ignored court orders, harassed journalists, and stifled civil dissent, including during the #EndSARS protests in 2020, where soldiers allegedly opened fire on peaceful demonstrators at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.
“Under his leadership, human rights abuses became institutionalized.
The #EndSARS crackdown exposed how deeply the culture of impunity had festered,” he said.
“No officer was punished for the deaths of innocent protesters. Instead, the state denied the killings ever happened.”
Security also worsened during Buhari’s presidency, with increased attacks by bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, and kidnappers. Despite being a former military General, Buhari struggled to curb violence in many parts of the country.
“It is ironic that a former army General would leave behind a country far more insecure than he met it,” the lawyer added.
“Thousands of lives were lost under his watch, and many communities were left in ruins.”
Economically, Buhari’s Government presided over two recessions, a sharp rise in inflation, and severe depreciation of the naira. Critics said his policies failed to inspire investor confidence. His reckless borrowing deepened the country’s debt crisis.
“The average Nigerian became poorer under Buhari. Prices of food and essential goods skyrocketed while youth unemployment soared,” the lawyer noted.
His criticisms mirror the sentiments of several rights groups like Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and political commentators who have since described Buhari’s legacy as one marked by broken promises, executive overreach, monumental corruption and deepening national divisions.
Though Buhari was widely credited with a clean personal image and a strict anti-corruption posture, his administration was marred by allegations of selective prosecution, nepotism, and a disregard for institutional checks and balances.
“At the end of the day, integrity without performance means little. Said HURIWA coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko.
lawyer Effiong in conclusion, said, “The nation deserved better leadership. Sadly, Buhari failed to deliver it.”
The remarks come amid renewed debate over the former president’s place in history, following his burial in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday.