Muhammadu Buhari's way to becoming the president of Nigeria

macfranc007 February 05, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 George Ibenegbu

President Muhammadu Buhari has stayed in office since 2015, but new presidential elections are about to begin, and Nigerians want to know if they want to give their voices again for this person. How did he become a president of Nigeria? What is Buhari Biography? Continue reading to find out more!

President Buhari of Nigeria

President Buhari is a retired Major-General of Nigerian Army. He was also the Head of State from 1983-1985. He came into power through a coup d'etat. His leadership during this period was also described as Buharism.

In Buhari biography, he tried to become a president of Nigeria for several times between 2003 and 2011 but failed. His first victory as the president of Nigeria came into the reality when he was chosen as a candidate for the All Progressive Congress party.

Buhari won the race for the presidency from Goodluck Jonathan. It was the first case in the history of Nigeria when an opposition leader wins the election against an incumbent president. Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in 2015.

During his previous presidential campaign, he described his new personality as a “Converted Democrat.” Nonetheless, he can't change the past, and a lot of his political opponents point out to his Buharism in the past.

Early life of Muhammadu Buhari

The future president of Nigeria was born on 17 December 1942. His hometown is Daura in Katsina State. He was born in the Fulani family to Adamu and Zulaihat. President Buhari family was quite big, he was the twenty-third child in his family. His father died very early.

He changed several schools during his childhood. He studied at Daura primary school. After that, he proceeded with his education at Katsina Model School. A few years later, attended Katsina Provincial Secondary School.

Military Career of Buhari

In 1961, the future president enrolled in the Nigerian Military Training College. In 1964, this college was renamed the Nigerian Defence Academy. In 1962, Buhari underwent the officer training at Mons Officer Cadet School in England.

In 1963, Buhari graduated as a second lieutenant. He was appointed as a Platoon Commander to the Second Infantry Battalion in Abeokuta. He grew through the ranks and in 1967 he was appointed as a brigade major of the First Infantry Division.

Civil War

The future president met the beginning of the civil war under the command of Lt. Col Mohammed Shuwa. Buhari was assigned to the First Division as an Adjutant and Company Commander of 2 Battalion Unit. This Battalion was one of the first to move forward to Gakem near Afikpo. The rebel capital – Enugu was taken within weeks after the start of the military actions.

Buhari witnessed the implementation of new tactics towards the military campaign of Nigeria. The new tactics involved securing of new lands instead of swift military advances. The new sectors of operations were created within the Awka-Abagana-Onitsha regions.

After War

After the war, Buhari spent used this time for education, where he attended the Defence Services Staff College. He was also the Acting Director of Transport and Supply at the Transport Headquarters.

In July 1975, Buhari was among the officers who participated in the military coup. In 1975, Buhari got the post of the Governor of the North-Eastern State. He also served as a governor of Borno State. In 1976, Buhari was appointed as the Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources. Today, this post can be compared with the position of petroleum minister.

Nonetheless, in 1978, Muhammadu Buhari returned to the militaryrvice. He became a member of Supreme Military Council. He also continued his military education with attending the US Army War College and even gained the Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies.

Coup D`etat 1983

Major General Buhari was one of the main leaders of the Military Coup of December 1983. Buhari justified military actions against the democratically elected powers by defying the democratic government as corrupt. The coup d`etat leaders also justified their actions as a desire to correct the economic situation in Nigeria.

Buhari was appointed as the head of state where he provided quite strict policies against the citizens. One of his most famous policies was “War Against Indiscipline.” In some cases, it included harsh prison sentences, like 21 years in prison for cheating on the exams.

In coup d'etat in 1985, Buhari was sentenced to three years in prison. After the prison, he decided to start a new life. He divorced his first wife and married to Aisha Halilu. In the civil life, he serviced as the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund.

Presidential Elections

Since 2003, Buhari started to take part in the presidential elections. He managed to become a candidate for the presidency in 2003, 2007, 2011. Nonetheless, only 2015 provide the significant success, and he became President Buhari of Nigeria.

The president spent almost the whole 2017 in medical clinics. Therefore, there are some doubts if he can participate in the next elections. Moreover, the whole secrecy about his ailment provided a stage for the critics of Buhari.