Bashir Ahmad, the former media aide to Nigeria’s ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has ignited a fierce debate on social media platform X, asserting that Buhari’s infrastructure achievements during his eight-year tenure (2015–2023) outclass those of his predecessors—Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan combined.
The Bashir Ahmad statement, posted on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 4:53 PM WAT, has drawn sharp reactions, ranging from support to skepticism, as Nigerians weigh the legacy of the former president.
“Buhari’s infrastructure achievements outclass those of Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan combined. That is not even an opinion; that is a fact,” Bashir Ahmad wrote.
However, he provided no specific details or data to substantiate the claim, leaving room for interpretation and criticism.
The assertion comes in response to a pro-People’s Democratic Party (PDP) account on X, which argued that Nigeria was last governed effectively during the administrations of Obasanjo (1999–2007), Yar’Adua (2007–2010), and Jonathan (2010–2015).
Bashir Ahmad dismissed this view as “hilarious,” escalating the political and historical comparison between the All Progressives Congress (APC) era under Buhari and the PDP’s earlier rule.
A Divisive Legacy
Buhari’s presidency, which began in 2015 following his promise to combat corruption and boost infrastructure, is often viewed through a polarized lens.
Supporters point to significant projects like the Lagos-Ibadan Railway, the Second Niger Bridge, and increased investment in agriculture and oil production as hallmarks of his tenure.
Official figures from the Nigerian government indicate that oil production peaked at 2.1 million barrels per day in 2022, up from 1.8 million in 2015, while agricultural exports, particularly rice and sesame, expanded under initiatives like the Anchor Borrowers’ Program.
However, critics highlight persistent economic challenges during Buhari’s term, including a weakened naira—dropping from N198 to $1 under Jonathan to as low as N1,700 to $1 by 2023—and rising poverty rates.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria’s poverty rate reached 38.9% in 2023, with an estimated 87 million Nigerians living below the poverty line, making it the world’s second-largest poor population after India.
Infrastructure gaps, such as unreliable electricity and poor road networks outside major urban centers, also remain contentious issues.
Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan, who governed under the PDP, are remembered for varying achievements.
Obasanjo’s administration (1999–2007) is credited with stabilizing the economy after military rule, paying off much of Nigeria’s foreign debt, and initiating projects like the GSM telecommunications boom.
Yar’Adua, despite his short tenure cut short by illness and death in 2010, focused on electoral reform and the Niger Delta amnesty program.
Jonathan, who served until 2015, oversaw the completion of some infrastructure projects and economic growth, but his administration faced criticism over security challenges, including the Boko Haram insurgency.
Social Media Reactions to Bashir Ahmad Claims
Bashir Ahmad’s claim triggered a flurry of responses on X, with users expressing both support and derision.
However, critics argued that the claim overlooks broader governance failures, including human rights concerns, economic mismanagement, and unfulfilled promises like ending fuel subsidies or improving electricity supply, which remains erratic for many Nigerians.
Context and Criticism
Analysts suggest Bashir Ahmad’s statement is part of a broader narrative by APC loyalists to reshape Buhari’s legacy amid growing discontent over Nigeria’s economic woes under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
While Buhari’s government invested heavily in infrastructure, with over N13 trillion (approximately $8 billion) allocated to road and rail projects between 2015 and 2023, according to the Budget Office of the Federation, critics argue these investments were unevenly distributed and often delayed.
The World Bank’s 2025 report on Nigeria notes that, despite progress in some sectors, the country’s human capital index remains one of the lowest globally, with Nigerians born in 2020 expected to be only 36% as productive as they could be with full access to education and health.
This statistic underscores the lingering challenges Bashir Ahmad’s claim sidesteps.
Looking Ahead
As Nigeria navigates its post-Buhari era, the debate over his legacy continues to divide public opinion.
Bashir Ahmad’s bold assertion may rally Buhari’s supporters but risks alienating those who associate his administration with economic hardship and unfulfilled promises.
Political analysts suggest that concrete data, rather than anecdotal claims, will be crucial to evaluating the comparative impact of Nigeria’s past leaders.
For now, the post has reignited a national conversation about infrastructure, governance, and accountability, with Nigerians on X and beyond weighing in on who truly left a lasting mark on the nation’s development.
As the seven-day mourning period for Yar’Adua’s legacy in 2010 was once declared, Nigerians today are mourning or celebrating their recent political past in equal measure.
