Muhammadu Buhari is a man of many faces. The moment you think you’ve figured him out, he snaps his fingers, wiping the smirk off your face and leaves you feeling lost.
Let’s start at the beginning.
Buhari came to power in 2015 with the promise that he’d stamp out corruption and deliver change, among other things. Many Nigerians bought it; I mean, the pitch was interesting. Seven years on, he’s managed to live up to at least one of those promises — a change for the worse.
Let’s do a recap on some of the times Buhari showed us his different faces.
Buhari the ghost
We should have known from his inaugural speech when he said that he belonged to everybody and nobody. That’s the soundbite of a guy who has perfected the art of ghosting.
Speaking of ghosting, our dear president has on several occasions literally gone into airplane mode when his country needed him most. Most recently, with Nigeria battling a flooding emergency affecting 34 of 36 states, what did Buhari do? He took a trip to South Korea.
ALSO READ: How Flooding May Affect the 2023 Elections
Buhari the doublemouth
In 2012, Buhari famously claimed that the oil subsidy was fraudulent. He had quite a lot to say about it. As fate would have it, Buhari became president and even appointed himself as Petroleum Minister.
Well, it will not surprise you to know that under him, subsidy payment has risen by 477%. In fact, from when he came in, till when he leaves in 2023, subsidy payment is expected to hit ₦11 trillion.
Let’s also not forget one of his campaign promises — a ban on all government officials from seeking medical care abroad. By August 2021, Buhari had spent 200 days in the United Kingdom for medical treatment since assuming office.
Do as I say, not as I do.
Buhari the bully
As part of Buhari’s rebranding, close aides described him as a “reformed democrat”. Nigerians have now learned first hand that old habits die hard. His response to #EndSARS agitations from harmless protesters was the use of brutal force. And yet, in the face of real threats like banditry, he said he hesitates in deploying excessive force.
His bad belle in dealing with people he doesn’t like using outfits like the State Security Service (SSS), the clampdown on the press, and the banning of Twitter, will cement his legacy as a flat-track bully.
Are there other Buhari personalities you have noticed? Do share with us.
ALSO READ: Buhari Needs to Do These Things Before He Leaves Office in 2023
