Buhari’s 8 years as president, scorecard reeks of whitewashing

Former President, Muhammadu Buhari, took Nigerians on an economic and human rights rollercoaster during his two-term tenure. But, his photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo, whose job was to tell the story of a man whose image and actions did not correlate with the social reality of an average Nigerian is who Bayo considered a “Man of Grace.”

Speaking of Grace, Mr. Femi Adesina, former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the ex-President, published a memoir titled, “Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015 – 2023)” a second image positioning coming from a media staff of the ex-President. Except this time, it’s a book detailing the failed regime.

After Buhari’s eight years as a failed President, whitewashing commenced. It extended to giving an oratory poem by Lola Shoneyin, on Financial Times in light of omitting the Buhari era, which then gave leverage for Buhari to be remembered for his media perception and not what the true reality was following the events of March 1st, 2023.

Buhari’s Presidential Scorecard

However, citizens have also given their social report sheets and most are first-hand benefactors of inflation, insecurity, corruption, and injustice. Many of these reports did not look quite close to what publicity is all about, but an actual report indicating the state of affairs under Buhari.

An excerpt from the citizens’ social report concerning inflation on X (formerly Twitter), reads; “Buhari took the British £ from N240 to N900 in eight years, Tinubu took the British £ from N900 to N1,700 in eight months. Where is Nigeria really headed? What exactly is happening?”

While that, out of many was the reality, insecurity was another concern. Buhari considered the fight against Boko Haram as a fight against the northerners.

Furthermore, the corruption reports read a N23 trillion cash printed unaccounted for while loans were obtained to build a train network that is now at the mercy of bandits. However, this is short of accuracy considering his political speech during the campaign and re-election.

Former Senator, Shehu Sani, in the social reports, stated that “Nigerians don’t need to read Buhari’s book because everyone is now living the script of his book from its bedeviling genesis to its bewildering revelation.”

As a man with military background, his last command was clear and precise. “No one should mention my name” in light of his deeds for eight years. Hence, injustice was perceived as peace over justice.

Buhari having been nominated for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize by the Centre for Social Justice, Equality and Transparency was the top of it all.

Read more: 18 of 26 Ogun State Legislators Impeach Speaker

About The Author

Mayowa Durosinmi

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Mayowa Durosinmi is a Nigerian investigative reporter for West Africa Weekly with reports focusing on politics, human rights, security and health in West Africa and the Sahel region.

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