Why Buhari Lost Power By Edmund Obilo
Having participated in previous coups, Buhari was no stranger to intrigues and betrayers for power sake.
He was appointed the military governor of Bornu State by the Murtala-Obasanjo government after they toppled the regime of General Yakubu Gowon in 1975. He would later be made the Minister of Petroleum.
On becoming head of State on 31 December 1983, he launched a crack down on corruption. Before long he fell out with his colleagues that brought him to power. In a palace coup, General Ibrahim Babagida and the gang of coupists overthrew Buhari on 27 August 1985.
Babagida in his inaugural address gave reasons why Buhari was overthrown. He said Buhari was too rigid and uncompromising in his attitude to issues of national significance. He said efforts made to make Buhari “understand that a diverse polity like Nigeria required recognition of and appreciation of differences in both cultural and individual perceptions,” did not fly.
The only option was to get him out before he compromises national unity.
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