Blame Buhari in death: a habit of deviating responsibility

While the Nigerians continue to react to the death of the former president Muhammadu Buhari, the emotions are understandably high. Social media, the television panels, the pages of opinions of newspapers and beer lounges have become beaten of bright debates, some deeply respectful, others at the glass. But between tributes, criticisms and conversations, a trend is clearly distinguished: the inexorable fault placed at the foot of Buhari, even in death.

I would like to start making something very clear. This piece is not an attempt to erase the pain of those who lost their loved ones during the Buhari administration. It is not a dismissal of legitimate grievances. Families who suffered from insecurity, economic difficulties or movements during his mandate have every right to say their truths. We must never silence the pain not in a nation where silence was too often armed.

However, as people, we have to stop and ask ourselves: is Buhari only responsible for all the misfortunes of Nigeria? Or have we simply found in him a comfortable scapegoat to apologize to our collective failures?

Even in death, Buhari is dragged not only for his policies or governance, but for things far from his person. Some went to the point of cursing it posthumously, attributing the entire part of the economic troubles of Nigeria, the failures of the leadership and social evils to a man. This, for me, is not only unfair; It is unproductive.

More worrying is the way some media sections, in particular from the south, launched themselves on isolated images or videos of a handful of people who celebrate and have tagged it quickly as “North Dancing in the streets”. It is a dangerous and false narrative, a large brush that paints millions of actions of some. The North, like any other region, consists of different people with various opinions. The moment of pain of a community should not be reduced to street clips collected by cherries amplified by prejudice.

We must be cautious. Nigeria has suffered enough of divisive narratives and we should not even allow the death to become another line of fault. The behavior of a small group, however unpleasant it should not be used to judge the mood of an entire region. Mourning seems different between cultures and respect for needs we seem deeper than trendy titles.

Having said that, it doesn’t matter how much it can be opposed to Bohari’s leadership style, or he even did not like it personally, there is a truth that must be admitted: you cannot blocked corruption or lack of personal integrity in a credible way to his name. That’s why, for many, he earned and maintained the title “Mai Gaskiya” (the honest). In a country afflicted by bright kleptocratic and shameless bags, Buhari distinguished himself for his personal frugality and simple lifestyle. His defects were many, but stealing from the public bag has never been one of them.

The truth is bitter but it must be said: Buhari did not govern Nigeria alone. He had ministers, consultants, state governors, legislators and an entire class in power that surrounded him. Many of these same people are still in power today, navigating the government’s corridors comfortably while the Nigerians aim for their arrows against a man who is no longer here to answer.

This model, this fixation on individual fault has become deeply rooted in our political culture. We see it several times. When a president is in office, we launch every stone against him. When it goes away, we dig more. In the meantime, those that surrounded him equally accomplices, equally powerful heavenly walk, ready to model the next administration. It is a dangerous cycle.

In African culture, let’s talk about “Mutuwa Ba Ta Kare Kima” (death does not cancel the value of one). Nor should he erase responsibility. But also responsibility must be served with balance, with context and equity. The story should remember Buhari’s leadership honesty, I don’t hate. He should examine his strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures, without reducing his legacy to a single and wide narration of Doom.

If we are sincere about national healing, if we really want to progress, then we must go beyond the policy of guilt and start embracing the policy of responsibility. Nigeria’s problems have not started with Buhari and will not end with him. The corrupt policeman who collects bribes on the road is not Buhari. Commercial votes for sex are not buhari. The trader by inflating the prices for no reason is not Buhari. The legislator sleeping in the national assembly while earning millions which is not also Buhari.

Until we consider all the actors in our responsible national drama, including ourselves, we will remain blocked in the same cycle of disappointment.

There is a proverb to Hausa who says “Idan aka us tuwo from Yawa, Kada to Dora Laifi Ga Miyar Kuka Kawai” (when you eat too much, don’t only blame the soup). Nigeria is a complex pot of many ingredients. We begin to evaluate each, honestly and thoroughly.

Buhari went to meet his creator. Whatever the mistakes he has done, they are now between him and his creator. For us, the living, the task remains: reconstructing, rethinking and remembering that governance is not an individual deal. If we want to learn something from the years of Buhari and from the reactions that have followed his death, this fault could be easy, but responsibility is what builds nations.

And he also recalls the teaching of the Holy Prophet Muhammad who saw those who said: “Do not abuse the dead, since they achieved the result of what they sent”.

(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 1393)

May you forgive the deceased Buhari, grant him peace and guide all of us towards truth, justice and collective progress.