What are the 5 things you don’t know about President Muhammadu Buhari? What comes to mind when you think about his personality and everything regarding his lifestyle, work schedule, among other things?
I know you know some things about the President, like the fact that because he was born on December 17, 1942, from Daura, Katsina State, and Fulani Ethnic Group. He is the 23rd child of his parents and was raised by his mother after losing his father at a very tender age.
Now back to the topic of discussion. The famous saying by Dr Carl Sagan states that ‘one has to know the past to understand the future,’ since we are in the present, this article hopes to take us back to before to help create a picture of some of the things not known or recalled about President Muhammadu Buhari.
Here’s 5 Things You Don’t Know About Buhari
- Buhari was overthrown in 1984:
For the new generation, many might not know that President Muhammad Buhari’s government was overthrown in 1984 by Ibrahim Babangida, a Former Nigerian Military Leader.
He served as a Head of State from 1985-1993. Within the period, Buhari was detained for four years, that from 1984-1988 in Benin City. As at the time, part of the reasons why Buhari was overthrown, according to his successors, was because he failed to address the country’s economic challenges claimed to have been ravaged by decades of government misconducts and corruption.
At the time, many Nigerians argued that Buhari witnessed karma. In 1983, the retired general participated in the military coup that uninstalled the democratically elected government of former President Shehu Shagari. Roughly a year later, Buhari too was removed and jailed.
- Buhari was Divorced:
It is safe to say that many youths are the first lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, the first woman President Muhammadu Buhari got married to. Well, that notion is incorrect. Buhari was first married to the Late Hajiya Safiatu.
The marriage came to an end due to claims that he was betrayed by his former wife, who received financial aid from the same ex-military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, responsible for the coup d’etat that ended Buhari’s administration and his imprisonment.
- Defended Nigeria from Chadian Attack in 1983:
Nigeria had a reputable military squad that was known all over the world. Its military might was felt even under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari. In 1983, it would be vividly recalled that the army referred to as Chadian Powers invaded Nigeria through the Borno State axis.
It’s on record that President Buhari, still an active General in the military then, successfully repelled the Chadian attack. Buhari evacuated them out of Nigeria and even further crossed the Chadian boundaries. Although, it would be recollected that his decision to drive right through the Chadian borders was against the former President Shehu Shagari’s orders at the time. His (Buhari) action supports the saying that Success Comes at a Cost.
The WAI initiative:
Children born a decade or two ago may find it alien to comprehend that the War Against Indiscipline, WAI, is one of the most recognizable achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari. He was heavily commended for initiating the idea to tackle the country’s lack of public morality and civic responsibility back then. The policy brought some level of discipline and addressed some questionable conducts in Nigerian Society.
- First-ever to defeat an Incumbent president:
In the history of Nigeria, particularly during this democratic dispensation, President Muhammadu Buhari is the only one to defeat an Incumbent president (Goodluck Ebele Jonathan), which is the presidential election that brought him into power in 2015. Before his victory, there were several attempts by Buhari to cling to the presidential seat. He tried three times but was unsuccessful.
The aspiration kicked off in 2003 when he embarked on a thorough nationwide campaign but failed to grab the presidential ticket. Again in 2007, Buhari attempted the presidential race but was still disappointed by the electorates, as Nigeria wasn’t ready for his emergence.
Then in 2011, Buhari suffered another defeat at the polls, which made many Nigerians believe he wasn’t returning and was done with the presidential struggle. Fortunately, in 2015, luck shined its light on the never-relenting spirit of Buhari, who also later won the 2019 presidential election and may stand as the last time the determined leader is ever going to contest for the apex position.
- Three-time Minister of Petroleum Resources:
Arguably, President Muhammadu Buhari has been Minister of Petroleum Resources three times. First was in 1976, when the then Head of State, Retired General Olusegun Obasanjo, famously referred to as OBJ, installed Buhari as the Federal Commissioner. This office is today called Petroleum Minister. In 2015, He appointed himself the Minister of Petroleum. He repeated the same act in 2019, doubling as the President and Minister, respectively.
Feel free to include on our comment box things most people don’t know about President Muhammadu Buhari.
