Nigeria's Former President Has Passed Away

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has passed away at the age of 82 in a clinic in London, as confirmed by his family.

Buhari, who served as president before the current one, was reported to have traveled to the UK in April for a routine health check, but his condition later deteriorated and he fell ill.

Buhari was a former military ruler who claimed to have transformed into a democrat, returning to power through a democratic election, although he struggled to convince citizens that he could deliver on the promised changes.

Even though he wasn't a traditional politician, Buhari was seen as a distant figure leading a simple, non-luxurious life. Nevertheless, he maintained a reputation for personal integrity – a rare trait among politicians in Nigeria.

After losing three presidential elections, Buhari finally won in 2015, making history as the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president. In 2019, he was re-elected for a second four-year term.

Buhari was extremely popular among the poor in northern Nigeria, known as "talakawa" in the Hausa language. During the 2015 campaign, he was supported by a coalition of opposition parties that rallied behind him.

Many of his supporters believed that his military experience and discipline would help the country tackle the Islamic insurgents troubling the northern regions. Buhari also promised to fight corruption and favoritism in government, as well as create jobs for Nigeria's youth.

However, his presidency coincided with a global drop in oil prices, which contributed to the worst economic crisis Nigeria had faced in decades.