Former president Buhari is gone, but so is Nigeria.

Former president Buhari is gone, but so is Nigeria. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/nigerias-former-president-buhari-is-dead-heres-what-he-took-with-him/

Image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_SARS

In the UK, freedom of speech is underpinned within Article 10 of the Human Rights Act which factually states that ‘everyone has the right to freedom of expression’, and this article also aligns with the issue that with such a right it is possible for penalties to be imposed whereby necessary for the fruitfulness of a democratic society. The Human Rights Act can be likened to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution — both foundations behaving as a cornerstone for democratic societies. When we think of democracies, our mind can instantly turn to fairness and equality as basic, simple principles featured within one, moreover, the rule of law as explained by Dicey indicates that ‘no man is above the law’ with this concept providing justice for citizens especially in moments where they are forsaken and abused by state power since the rule of law is a principal which calls for the act of good faith by public officers. Whilst the freedom of speech and the rule of law does not label a state as democratic, its loss can signify danger for its citizens.

That was the reality for Nigeria during former president Buhari’s rule. As written in the linked article in the subtitle which has inspired this Substack, Buhari’s government twisted Cybercrime Acts introduced by his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan for the purpose of intimidating journalists. His political party also incited violence against protesters who did not align themselves with the policies of his government. Such restrictions can not be said to be for the benefit of fulfilling the prosperity of a democratic society because it is marked by unjust access to justice and borderline censorship. Journalists faced jail sentences, torture and fines for speaking out against the drawn lines created by Buhari when his false integrity was questioned. To even have Twitter, a social media app, which provides live news and commentary banned speaks volumes as to how the democracy promised of Nigeria post-independence had now been failed and broken.

Nigeria’s history has been shaped and moulded by corruption, a past that the generation present under Buhari’s leadership had hopes to be rid off, however, they were unknowing victims that the garden of Eden fantasy they were awaiting already had snakes in the grass.

The effects of Buhari’s presidency is a smoking gun which demonstrates the grotesque injustice of corruption that Nigeria as a country suffers from, an aspect that has been carried within current president Tinubu’s leadership also, as political figures continue to live lavishly whilst the general population struggles to grapple with the cruelty of the wealth disparity.

No citizen should have to live failed by its politicians for simply relying on the promised belief that their standard of living will improve, to then consequently deal with the broken reality as a result of the false words spoken.

Former president Buhari may have passed, but it may be a while before the Nigeria he left behind revives again.