Buhari Muhammadu
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Buhari Muhammadu is a Nigerian politician. They have contested 1 election (1 win) across 1 party, receiving 15.2M total votes. Most recent: 2019 Presidential Elections as All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
Political Career
Biography
Muhammadu Buhari was a Nigerian general and politician who ruled as military dictator of Nigeria from 1983 to 1985. His tenure included the overthrow of the Second Republic and a period of strict governance marked by the War Against Indiscipline (WAI).
During his military rule, Buhari implemented austere economic policies, targeting corruption and economic mismanagement. His administration introduced repressive measures, including the freezing of bank accounts, military trials for corruption, and harsh penalties for dissent. Economic reforms led to rising inflation and widespread dissatisfaction, culminating in his overthrow by Ibrahim Babangida in 1985.
After his military detention, Buhari ran for president on multiple occasions, first as an ANPP candidate in 2003 and 2007, then as a CPC candidate in 2011. His political career shifted to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, where he emerged as its presidential candidate for the 2015 election, defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.
Buhari won the 2015 presidential election, becoming Nigeria’s first incumbent president to lose re-election. His second term was marked by challenges including economic recession, high unemployment, and security crises like Boko Haram insurgency. Despite his anti-corruption rhetoric, his administration faced criticism for inefficiency and slow policy implementation.
Born on 17 December 1942 in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari’s early life included military training, service in the Nigerian Civil War, and leadership roles in successive military governments. His military background shaped his authoritarian governance style, though his later civilian presidency emphasized anti-corruption and economic reforms.
A staunch anti-corruption advocate, Buhari campaigned on integrity and promised to combat corruption, though his administration’s record included controversies like the $2 billion arms deal and plagiarized speeches. His leadership was marked by a mix of reformist rhetoric and persistent criticism over governance style and economic mismanagement.
Following his two terms, Buhari retired to his home in Daura, Katsina State, where he lived out his final years before his death in London on 13 July 2025. His legacy includes both admiration for his anti-corruption stance and criticism for authoritarian tendencies and economic struggles during his presidency.
Party Positions
Policy positions from All Progressives Congress (APC)'s manifesto.
Agriculture
Will encourage local farmers to form farm cooperatives, enabling them to pool resources for modern farming equipment, fertiliser, and access priority government agricultural assistance programs (extension services), with tax breaks and credits.
Anti-corruption
Curb reliance on imported goods via luxury taxes, higher tariffs, and processing fees while incentivizing local manufacturing with tax credits/rebates.
Economy & Trade
Reforms the Federal Budgetary Methodology to move away from oil revenue dependence and base spending on projected growth, establishing an inflationary ceiling to optimize fiscal policy without causing excessive inflation.
Education
Introduces a new management system for federally funded primary and secondary schools via Boards of Education, reserving community representation in decision-making.
Energy
Will increase Nigeria’s domestic crude oil production to **2.6 million barrels per day by 2027** and **4 million barrels per day by 2030**, while implementing a Special Enforcement and Monitoring Unit to deter theft, vandalism, and pipeline breaches using drones and aerial surveillance.
Enterprise grant support
Provides tax credits, holidays, and reduced interest rate loans for businesses that hire a specified percentage of youth in their workforce and offer on-the-job training.
Environment & Climate
Will **reduce Nigeria’s gas flaring** by removing it from the top 10 countries with highest flares, aiming to maximize sector benefits while eliminating environmental harm.
Governance & Reform
Commits to amending Nigeria’s governance architecture through constitutional review and collaboration with the National Assembly and State Governments to grant States greater autonomy over critical matters like crime prevention, prisons, stamp duties, and taxation.
Healthcare
Will strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure with incentive schemes, counterpart funding programs, and grassroots preventative care (vaccinations, cancer screening, blood pressure monitoring) in collaboration with state/local governments.
Infrastructure
Launches a National Infrastructure Campaign to modernize national infrastructure by hiring millions of unemployed Nigerians through the fiscal flexibility gained from reforming budgetary methodology.
Reliefs and scholarships
Provides **conditional income support** to very poor households, tied to human capital development goals like high-school attendance, healthcare, and nutrition.
Security & Defense
Enhances compensation, medical care, housing support, scholarships, stipends, and health insurance for military personnel injured in duty and their families.
Technology & Digital
Establishment of an advisory committee to review and reform regulatory frameworks for blockchain technology and virtual asset services.
Follow the 2027 race
Who declares, who drops out, who switches party: sourced, not speculation.
Other Presidential Candidates
Sources
Bio: Wikipedia (rewritten) ↗
Photo: Wikipedia ↗