Muhammadu Buhari Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Head of State (1983–1985)== === Consolidation of power === The structure of the new military leadership—the fifth in [[Nigeria]] since independence—resembled the last military regime, the [[Olusegun Obasanjo|Obasanjo]]/[[Shehu Musa Yar'Adua|Yaradua]] administration. The new regime established a Supreme Military Council, a Federal Executive Council and a Council of States.{{sfn|Graf|1988|p=150}} The number of ministries was trimmed to 18, while the administration carried out a retrenchment exercise among the senior ranks of the civil service and police. It retired 17 permanent secretaries and some senior police and naval officers. In addition, the new military administration promulgated new laws to achieve its aim. These laws included the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Decree for the prosecution of armed robbery cases, and the State Security (Detention of Person) Decree, which gave powers to the military to detain individuals suspected of jeopardizing state security or causing economic adversity.{{sfn|Graf|1988|p=153}} Other decrees included the Civil Service Commission and Public Offenders Decree, which constituted the legal and administrative basis to conduct a purge in the civil service.{{sfn|Graf|1988|p=153}} According to Decree Number 2 of 1984, the state security and the chief of staff were given the power to detain, without charges, individuals deemed to be a security risk to the state for up to three months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab5d3c.html|title=Nigeria: Repeal of Decree 2|date=1 October 1998|website=refworld.org|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-date=20 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120114352/http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab5d3c.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Strikes and popular demonstrations were banned and Nigeria's security agency, the [[National Security Organization]] (NSO) was entrusted with unprecedented powers. The NSO played a wide role in the cracking down of public dissent by intimidating, harassing and jailing individuals who broke the interdiction on strikes. By October 1984, about 200,000 civil servants were retrenched.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://naijapolitica.com/2014/12/04/the-untold-tales-of-gen-buhari-a-must-read/|title=THE UNTOLD TALES OF GEN. BUHARI ... [a must read]|date=4 December 2014|website=Naija Politica|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120004503/http://naijapolitica.com/2014/12/04/the-untold-tales-of-gen-buhari-a-must-read/|archive-date=20 January 2015}}</ref> Buhari mounted an offensive against entrenched interests. In 20 months as Head of State, about 500 politicians, officials and businessmen were jailed for corruption during his stewardship.<ref name="autogenerated422">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12890807|title=Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari in profile|date=17 April 2011|work=BBC News|access-date=20 April 2011|archive-date=20 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420211645/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12890807|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Urgent_Action/apic_52396.html|title=Nigeria: Human Rights Watch Africa|date=10 May 1996|website=africa.upenn.eu|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-date=15 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315211922/http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Urgent_Action/apic_52396.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Detainees were released after releasing sums to the government and agreeing to meet certain conditions. The regime also jailed its critics, including [[Fela Kuti]].<ref name="amnesty2">{{cite web|url=http://static.amnesty.org/ai50/fela_kuti_en.pdf|title=Fela Kuti, PoC, Nigeria|date=2010|website=amnesty.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404020006/http://static.amnesty.org/ai50/fela_kuti_en.pdf|archive-date=4 April 2015|quote=On numerous occasions he was detained and harassed by the authorities}}</ref> He was arrested on 4 September 1984 at the airport as he was about to embark on an American tour. [[Amnesty International]] described the charges brought against him for illegally exporting foreign currency as "spurious". Using the wide powers bestowed upon it by Decree Number 2, the government sentenced Fela to five years in prison. He was released after 18 months,<ref name="amnesty2" /> when the Buhari regime was overthrown. In 1984, Buhari passed Decree Number 4, the Protection Against False Accusations Decree,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ogbondah|first=Chris|date=1991|title=Origins and Interpretation of Nigerian Press Laws|url=http://archive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/African%20Journals/pdfs/africa%20media%20review/vol5no2/jamr005002006.pdf|journal=Africa Media Review|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-date=24 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224033156/http://archive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/African%20Journals/pdfs/africa%20media%20review/vol5no2/jamr005002006.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> a wide-ranging repressive press law. Section 1 of the law provided that "Any person who publishes in any form, whether written or otherwise, any message, rumour, report or statement [...] which is false in any material particular or which brings or is calculated to bring the Federal Military Government or the Government of a state or public officer to ridicule or disrepute, shall be guilty of an offense under this Decree".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalnetworkonline.com/vol10n40/nondisclosure.html|title=My Stance On 'Non Disclosure' Remains Unshakable – Tunde Thompson|date=9 October 2013|website=nationalnetworkonline.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120114257/http://www.nationalnetworkonline.com/vol10n40/nondisclosure.html|archive-date=20 January 2015}}</ref> The law further stated that offending journalists and publishers will be tried by an open military tribunal, whose ruling would be final and unappealable in any court and those found guilty would be eligible for a fine not less than 10,000 [[naira]] and a jail sentence of up to two years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CCT Chairman Advocates Return of Decree 2 to punish Journalists |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/cct-chairman-advocates-return-decree-2-punish-journalists/amp/}}</ref> ===Economics=== {{Main|Buharism}} In order to reform the economy, as Head of State, Buhari started to rebuild the nation's social-political and economic systems, along the realities of Nigeria's austere economic conditions.<ref name="upa" /> The rebuilding included removing or cutting back the excesses in national expenditure, obliterating or removing completely, corruption from the nation's social ethics, shifting from mainly public sector employment to self-employment. Buhari also encouraged import substitution industrialisation based to a great extent on the use of local materials.<ref name="upa">{{cite book|author1=Nwachuku, Levi Akalazu |author2=G. N. Uzoigwe |title=Troubled Journey: Nigeria Since the Civil War |publisher=University Press of America|year=2004 |page=192}}</ref> However, tightening of imports led to reduction in raw materials for industries causing many industries to operate below capacity,{{sfn|Graf|1988|p=162}} reduction of workers and in some cases business closure.<ref name="autogenerated422" /> Buhari broke ties with the International Monetary Fund, when the fund asked the government to devalue the naira by 60%. However, the reforms that Buhari instigated on his own were as or more rigorous as those required by the IMF.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Vreeland|first1=James Raymond|title=The International Monetary Fund: Politics of Conditional Lending|date=19 December 2006|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-37463-7|page=60|quote=Buhari proved his independence by pushing through economic austerity so severe it went beyond what many advised – all the while he refused IMF assistance.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Mathews|first1=Martin P.|title=Nigeria: Current Issues and Historical Background|date=1 May 2002|publisher=[[Nova Science Publishers, Inc.]]|isbn=978-1-59033-316-7|page=122|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hTs6GpM4zDMC&q=buhari+imf&pg=PA122|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-date=3 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103155730/https://books.google.com/books?id=hTs6GpM4zDMC&q=buhari+imf&pg=PA122|url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 May 1984, Buhari announced the country's 1984 National Budget. The budget came with a series of complementary measures: *A temporary ban on recruiting federal public sector workers *Raising of interest rates *Halting capital projects *Prohibition of borrowing by state governments *15 percent cut from Shagari's 1983 Budget *Realignment of import duties *Reducing the balance of payment deficit by cutting imports *It also gave priority to the importation of raw materials and spare parts that were needed for agriculture and industry. Other economic measures by Buhari took the form of counter trade, currency change, price reduction of goods and services. His economic policies did not earn him the legitimacy of the masses due to the rise in inflation and the use of military might to continue to push many policies blamed for the rise in food prices.{{sfn|Graf|1988|p=164}} ===Mass social mobilization=== {{main|War Against Indiscipline}} One of the most enduring legacies of the Buhari government has been the War Against Indiscipline (WAI). Launched on 20 March 1984, the policy tried to address the perceived lack of public morality and civic responsibility of Nigerian society. Unruly Nigerians were ordered to form neat queues at bus stops, under the eyes of whip-wielding soldiers. Civil servants<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12890807|title = Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari in profile|date = 11 December 2014|website = bbc.co.uk|access-date = 21 July 2018|archive-date = 13 August 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180813125916/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12890807|url-status = live}}</ref> who failed to show up on time at work were humiliated and forced to do "frog jumps". Minor offences carried long sentences. Any student over the age of 17 caught cheating on an exam would get 21 years in prison. Counterfeiting and arson could lead to the death penalty.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1984/08/10/world/nigeria-s-discipline-campaign-not-sparing-the-rod.html|title = Nigeria's discipline campaign: Not sparing the rod|date = 10 August 1984|work = The New York Times|author = Clifford D. May|access-date = 11 February 2017|archive-date = 9 June 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170609222757/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/08/10/world/nigeria-s-discipline-campaign-not-sparing-the-rod.html|url-status = live}}</ref> Buhari's administration enacted three decrees to investigate corruption and control foreign exchange. The Banking (Freezing of Accounts) Decree of 1984, allotted to the Federal Military Government the power to freeze bank accounts of persons suspected to have committed fraud. The Recovery of Public Property (Special Military Tribunals) Decree permitted the government to investigate the assets of public officials linked with corruption and constitute a military tribunal to try such persons. The Exchange Control (Anti-Sabotage) Decree stated penalties for violators of foreign exchange laws.{{sfn|Graf|1988|p=154}} Decree 20 on illegal ship bunkering and drug trafficking was another example of Buhari's tough approach to crime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-9485.html|title=Security and Anticrime Measures|date=June 1991|website=country-data.com|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-date=14 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314231150/http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-9485.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Section 3 (2) (K) provided that "any person who, without lawful authority deals in, sells, smokes or inhales the drug known as [[cocaine]] or other similar drugs, shall be guilty under section 6 (3) (K) of an offence and liable on conviction to suffer death sentence by firing squad." In the case of Bernard Ogedengebe, the Decree was applied retroactively.<ref name="tdl22">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/buhari-history-and-the-wilfully-blind/198756/|title=Buhari: History and the Wilfully Blind|date=10 January 2015|website=thisdaylive.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113061304/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/buhari-history-and-the-wilfully-blind/198756/|archive-date=13 January 2015}}</ref> He was executed even if at the time of his arrest the crime did not mandate the capital punishment, but had carried a sentence of six months imprisonment.<ref name="tdl22" /> In another prominent case of April 1985, six Nigerians were condemned to death under the same decree: Sidikatu Tairi, Sola Oguntayo, Oladele Omosebi, Lasunkanmi Awolola, Jimi Adebayo and Gladys Iyamah.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abiyamo.com/muhammadu-buhari-nigerias-strictest-leader/7/|title=Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria's Strictest Leader|date=2 July 2013|website=abiyamo.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120113947/http://www.abiyamo.com/muhammadu-buhari-nigerias-strictest-leader/7/|archive-date=20 January 2015}}</ref> In 1985, prompted by economic uncertainties and a rising crime rate, the government of Buhari opened the borders (closed since April 1984) with [[Benin]], [[Niger]], [[Chad]] and [[Cameroon]] to speed up the expulsion of 700,000 illegal foreigners and illegal migrant workers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/05/world/expelled-foreigners-pouring-ved=0CHwQ6AEwDw#v=onepageout-of-nigeria-by-the-associated-press.html|title=Expelled foreigners pouring out of Nigeria By The Associated Press|date=5 May 1985|website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Buhari is today known for this crisis; there even is a famine in the east of Niger that have been named "El Buhari".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAWEB20141211173541/|title=Présidentielle nigériane : Muhammadu Buhari affrontera Goodluck Jonathan|date=11 December 2014|website=jeuneafrique.com|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-date=4 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204194311/https://www.jeuneafrique.com/37766/politique/pr-sidentielle-nig-riane-muhammadu-buhari-affrontera-goodluck-jonathan/|url-status=live}}</ref> His regime drew criticism from many, including Nigeria's first Nobel Prize winner [[Wole Soyinka]], who, in 2007, wrote a piece called "The Crimes of Buhari"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saharareporters.com/2007/01/14/crimes-buhari-wole-soyinka|title=The crimes of Buhari-Wole Soyinka|date=14 January 2007|website=saharareporters.com|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-date=20 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120115130/http://saharareporters.com/2007/01/14/crimes-buhari-wole-soyinka|url-status=live}}</ref> which outlined many of the abuses conducted under his military rule. Ahead of the 2015 general election, Buhari responded to his human rights criticism by saying that if elected, he would follow the rule of law, and that there would be access to justice for all Nigerians and respect for fundamental human rights of Nigerians.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195948/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/03/my-contract-with-nigeria-buhari/ My contract with Nigeria – Buhari]. vanguardngr.com (17 March 2015)</ref> === Coup d'état of 1985 === {{main|1985 Nigerian coup d'état}} In August 1985, Major General Buhari was overthrown in a coup led by General [[Ibrahim Babangida]] and other members of the ruling Supreme Military Council (SMC).<ref name="Muhammad Buhari2">{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammadu-Buhari|title=Muhammadu Buhari|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218031931/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammadu-Buhari|archive-date=18 February 2019|access-date=8 February 2015|encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Britannica}}</ref> Babangida brought many of Buhari's most vocal critics into his administration, including [[Fela Kuti]]'s brother [[Olikoye Ransome-Kuti]], a doctor who had led a strike against Buhari to protest declining health care services. Buhari was then detained in [[Benin City]] until 1988.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Toyin| last1=Falola|author1-link=Toyin Falola|title=A History of Nigeria|first2=Matthew M. |last2=Heaton|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|date=2008| isbn=9781139472036|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XygZjbNRap0C&pg=PR7|url-access=limited}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page