The death of former President Nigeria Muhammadu Bouhari in London at the age of 82 | Death news

Bouhaari, which you remember to lead the anti -corruption and the struggling economy, leaves behind a controversial legacy.

Previous in Nigeria President Mohamed Bouhary He died in London at the age of 82 after a long illness.

“President Bohari died today in London at approximately 4:30 pm (15:30 GMT) after a long illness,” President Paula Tenobo spokesman announced on Sunday via the social media platform X.

Bouhaari made history in 2015 when he became the first candidate for the opposition in the era of Nigeria, the modern to defeat the head of sitting in the polls, and secreted Goodluck Jonathan It has been widely praised as the most credible elections in the country.

For the first time, the retired year, in Nigeria in the 1980s after assuming power in a military coup. He later renamed himself as a civilian politician, adopted a softer picture of the Kaftans flow and declared himself a “converted democratic”.

His supporters were known for his strong style and fiery rhetoric against corruption, as he saw Bohari as a reformer. “I belong to everyone and I belong to no one,” he declared, often seeking to place himself over the political factions established in Nigeria.

However, he struggled with his presidency to contain increased insecurity. While he promised to defeat Boko Haram And regime restoring, armed violence spread beyond the northeast. The militants, separatists and criminal groups work without punishment across large parts of the country by the end of his term.

However, Bouhari leaves behind a legacy as a symbol of democratic change in Nigeria, even if the transformation he promised remains incomplete.

Mixed legacy

Bohari is remembered as a pivotal figure in the democratic development of the country and a very defective leader when it comes to economic and security management.

Speaking to Al -Jazeera from London, Alexis Aquawiram, the administrative editor in Sephor and a long -standing observer of the Nigerian policy, said that Bouhaari would remember him to achieve what many believed was impossible: winning an opposition authority.

“He has been the first candidate for the opposition since the return of the civil rule to win the ballot box,” said Aquagalam, referring to Bouhaari’s victory over Jonathan. “History will remember it positively for that.”

However, Akwagyiram was explicit about the failures that characterized the bush time in the office. He described the former general as “very ineffective” in managing the Nigerian economy, noting that he insisted on maintaining a strong brightness, which led to a complex system of multiple exchange rates and two passes during his term.

“His dealings with the economy were not great,” Aquamam pointed out, noting his repercussions with the former rebels in the Niger Delta, which led to renewed attacks on oil infrastructure. In conjunction with the decline in global oil prices, the Covid-19s, these factors, which were one day, which was the largest economy in Africa-pushed fourth.

On the security, Bohari record was equally disappointed, according to Akwagheram. Although he was elected by a promise to repress Boko Haram, the rebellion in northeastern Nigeria expanded only under his leadership. A competitor, ISIL, ISWAP, appeared, and spread, while armed kidnapping gangs flourished in the northwest.

“All that happened is Boko Haram and Esor, both of them spread under his mandate,” said Akwakheram. “The armed forces spread throughout the country and became generally weak.”

Despite the criticism, Akwagyiram highlighted the vigorous echo caused by many Nigerians. “He had the personal brand of integrity and honesty,” he said. “In a political climate famous for corruption, that was attractive.”

The strong image of Bouhari and the northern support base helped him build a national alliance that pushed him twice to the presidency, a rare achievement in Nigerian politics.

Aquawiram said: “He did not try to enrich himself.” “This is something positively looking at history.”