The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London.
This was made known in a statement by Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, the Executive Director of CHRICED, who extended condolences to the former president’s family, friends, and the entire nation. According to him, Buhari’s passing is not only a moment for mourning but a critical point for reflection and national reckoning.
Zikirullahi noted that Buhari’s legacy spans both military and civilian leadership, and cannot be ignored in Nigeria’s political history.
“From the War Against Indiscipline to his anti-corruption stance and infrastructure investments, there were clear efforts at nation-building,” he said.
Programs such as N-Power, TraderMoni, and the School Feeding Programme, along with reforms like the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Whistleblower Policy, reflected a commitment to transparency and social support.
However, he added that these efforts were not without shortcomings.
“Buhari’s administration also left unresolved wounds—deepening insecurity, rising poverty, selective justice, and the brutal suppression of peaceful protests like EndSARS,” he stated.
The economy, he noted, slipped into two recessions, worsening unemployment and inflation. “The fight against corruption lost credibility due to selective prosecution and political shielding,” he added.
Zikirullahi also described Buhari’s death in a foreign hospital as a painful symbol of Nigeria’s broken healthcare system. “It is telling that many of our leaders continue to rely on overseas medical care while citizens are left in decaying hospitals with no hope of quality treatment,” he said.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and those currently in power to draw lessons from Buhari’s life and leadership. “Power fades, but legacy remains. Governance must be people-centered, guided by justice, truth, and empathy,” he emphasized.
CHRICED called on Nigerians to use this moment to demand accountability and reimagine a nation that works for everyone. “Let us rise from the ashes of missed opportunities and rebuild a country where dignity, equity, and inclusion are not optional, but fundamental,” Dr. Zikirullahi concluded.
