Human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned any attempt to celebrate former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing such moves as an insult to Nigerians still grappling with the aftermath of his administration.
Sowore, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, expressed displeasure over plans to honour the former president, arguing that Buhari’s eight-year tenure was characterised by monumental failures that left the nation in ruins.
“It is an insult to Nigerians that at a time when people are still reeling from the devastation of Muhammadu @MBuhari’s disastrous reign, marked by mass killings, egregious violation of human rights, bigotry, corruption, and staggering incompetence, anyone would choose to add insult to injury by attempting to celebrate him,” he stated.
The activist, who was a presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, further noted that citizens who bore the brunt of Buhari’s policies understood the extent of damage inflicted on the country during his administration.
“Nigerians who endured the suffering inflicted by his administration know the depth of the damage. To glorify that legacy now is not just insensitive; it is an affront to a nation still struggling, and in many ways unable, to recover,” Sowore added.
The former president, who served from 2015 to 2023, has faced widespread criticism over his handling of insecurity, the economy, and allegations of human rights abuses during his tenure.