Buhari’s Alleged Integrity: A Masterful Propaganda Campaign Sold to Nigerians, Says Sowore
Human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore has refuted the prevalent notion that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari embodied integrity, describing it as “one of the most perilous propaganda projects ever foisted upon the populace.”
During his interview with Sunday PUNCH, Sowore argued that Buhari’s reputation as a disciplined and incorruptible leader was a “myth” strategically engineered to smooth his path back to power in 2015.
“Absolutely not,” he responded when questioned about Buhari’s legacy of integrity. “The myth of Buhari’s integrity was one of the most perilous propaganda undertakings ever presented to the people. For years, a meticulously constructed image of a disciplined, incorruptible soldier-statesman was propagated, primarily to legitimize his return to power in 2015. However, the reality, as Nigerians experienced it, was starkly different. Buhari not only failed the integrity test; he obliterated it.”
Sowore accused Buhari of ignoring corruption within his administration.
“Under his governance, corruption was not merely tolerated but institutionalized. Individuals under investigation or with known records of theft and abuse of office found sanctuary within his cabinet,” he declared.
“His administration shielded some of the most corrupt figures in Nigerian history.”
Sowore contended that the much-lauded anti-corruption campaign under Buhari was nothing but a façade.
“There was no war. There was no battle, merely propaganda. Buhari’s so-called anti-corruption crusade was selective, vindictive, and profoundly hypocritical. His allies and cronies were protected, while his political adversaries were hunted.”
“That was not a battle against corruption; it was a weaponization of anti-graft rhetoric,” he added.
He further asserted that Buhari’s administration left behind weakened institutions, stating, “Even the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission lost credibility under his regime.”
He noted, “Major scandals such as the Maina pension debacle, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company contracts, and his Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, were openly and brazenly implicated in corruption.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria’s opaque operations under Godwin Emefiele were concealed until Buhari’s tenure ended. He enabled corruption on such an expansive scale that it will take generations to fully unravel.”
“So no, he didn’t combat corruption. He nurtured it,” he concluded.
Sowore concluded by asserting that the late president’s record was “sufficient indictment,” cautioning that Nigeria must resist any attempt to revise history in favor of failed leaders.
