Popular Nigerian writer and relationship coach, Solomon Buchi, has defended citizens celebrating the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, arguing that people cannot be forced to mourn a leader under whose administration they suffered immense hardship.
Naija News reports that Buchi, in a post shared on (formerly Twitter), explained that while compassion and respect for the dead are often encouraged, it is unfair to silence those who directly felt the negative impact of Buhari’s policies and leadership.
“I know we all want to get preachy, but you cannot ask people who were negatively impacted by Buhari’s presidency not to rejoice over his death,” Buchi wrote.
“Real lives were lost, real people suffered, and real families endured extreme suffering.”
Buchi emphasized that Buhari’s life should not be considered more valuable than the countless lives lost due to his “clueless government,” adding:
“You can’t force legacy. How you live determines how people feel when you pass away. It’s not wickedness; it’s consequence.”
In a related reaction, reality TV star and former Big Brother Naija housemate, Natasha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, shared her thoughts shortly after the news of Buhari’s death broke.
Tacha described Buhari as a significant figure in Nigeria’s history, acknowledging that while public opinions about him may differ, his influence on the nation cannot be overlooked.
“No matter your views, Muhammadu Buhari was a major part of Nigeria’s story. RIP ,” she wrote on .
Buhari, who served as military head of state from 1984 to 1985 and later as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, died on Sunday, July 13, in London at the age of 82 after a brief illness.
