Muhammadu Buhari (born 17 December 1942) is the President-elect of Nigeria[4] and a retired Major General in the Nigerian Army who was Head of State of Nigeria from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985, after taking power in a military coup d'état.[5][6] The term Buharism is ascribed to the Buhari military government.[7][8]

He ran unsuccessfully for the office of President in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections. In December 2014, he emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the March 2015 elections. Buhari won the 2015 general election, defeating the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. Buhari is a native of Daura in Katsina State; he is of Fulani ethnic background.[1][2]

Buhari has stated that he takes responsibility for whatever happened under his watch during his military rule, saying that he cannot change the past. He also describes himself as a "converted democrat



[b]2015 Presidential election
Main article: Nigerian general election, 2015

In the run up to the 2015 Presidential elections, the campaign team of incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan asked for the disqualification of General Buhari from the race, claiming that he is in breach of the Constitution.[64] According to the fundamental document, in order to qualify for election to the office of the President, an individual must be “educated up to at least School certificate level or its equivalent”. Buhari has failed to submit any such evidence, claiming that he lost the original copies of his diplomas when his house was raided following his overthrow from power in 1985.[65]

Buhari ran in the 2015 Presidential election as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress party. His platform was built around his image as a staunch anti-corruption fighter and his incorruptible and honest reputation. However, Buhari stated in an interview that he would not probe past corrupt leaders and that he would give officials who stole in the past amnesty, insofar as they repent.[66]

In January 2015, the insurgent group "The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta" (MEND) endorsed Buhari in the Presidential race, saying he is the best candidate to lead the country.[67]

Thanks to the help of Gilbert Chagoury,[68] a Lebanese-Nigerian businessman and friend of APC leader Ahmed Tinubu, Muhammadu Buhari's campaign was run by former Obama campaign manager David Axelrod[69] and his AKPD consultancy. Gilbert Chagoury allegedly used his relationship with Bill Clinton[70] to persuade Axelrod to take on the job of advising Buhari.[68]

In February 2015, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo quit the ruling PDP party and threw his support behind the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket.[71]

On March 31, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan called Buhari to offer his concession and congratulations for his election as president; he will assume office on 29 May 2015.[4][/b]