The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has reacted to the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari with a call for national self-examination, urging Nigeria’s leaders to draw hard lessons from the life and legacy of the late military ruler-turned-democrat.
Grassroots Parrot reports that Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London, United Kingdom, a detail CHRICED described as symbolic of the enduring failures of Nigeria’s public health system.
In a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, CHRICED expressed condolences to the late president’s family and the nation, but quickly shifted focus to the need for an honest reckoning.
“President Buhari’s imprint on Nigeria is indelible, but it is not immune from honest scrutiny,” the statement read.
“His decades-long presence in national affairs must be assessed not through the lens of sentiment, but through the lens of truth.”
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Dr Zikirullahi acknowledged Buhari’s reputation for discipline and his early impact as military head of state, noting efforts such as the War Against Indiscipline and his later civilian-era reforms including the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Whistleblower Policy, and social welfare initiatives like N-Power and TraderMoni.
“These programs brought relief to many and showed glimpses of a government striving for transparency and resilience,” Dr. Zikirullahi said.
The statement highlighted the administration’s many shortcomings, especially its handling of insecurity, the economy, and human rights.
“Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and rural violence spread unchecked. The economy, twice plunged into recession, left millions struggling with unemployment, inflation, and poverty,” CHRICED stated.
The organisation also condemned what it described as a selective and compromised anti-corruption fight, along with the violent suppression of peaceful #EndSARS protesters.
“The fight against corruption, once a banner of his leadership, lost credibility through selective prosecutions and questionable pardons,” the statement asserted.
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For CHRICED, the fact that Buhari died outside Nigeria is not just incidental — it is a sobering indictment of Nigeria’s healthcare failures.
“His death abroad symbolizes a painful reality: Nigeria’s public healthcare system remains woefully neglected, while the political elite continue to seek solace in foreign medical care,” the organisation lamented.
However, CHRICED urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all current leaders to learn from Buhari’s era by embracing governance rooted in empathy, equity, and accountability.
“Leadership is not a performance for applause; it is a sacred duty to uplift, protect, and empower,” the statement said.
“Let this be a moment of awakening — a call to refashion the future from the ashes of lost opportunities.”the statement said.