Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has sharply criticized the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, describing it as dominated by fear, secrecy, and deep distrust of those around him.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Sowore cited accounts from Buhari’s immediate family, aides, and senior officials, portraying a leader consumed by suspicion and insecurity.

“Going by the accounts of his wife, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, ministers, security aides, and even his children, Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency was driven by an extreme, consuming fear and suspicion of everyone around him,” Sowore wrote.

He added that, beyond Buhari’s health challenges, it was this “mental siege” of fear, secrecy, and paranoia that shaped dysfunctional governance, chaotic decision-making, and policy failures.

Sowore also extended his critique to the current administration, suggesting a continuity of Buhari’s governing style under President Bola Tinubu. “The man, President Bola Tinubu, who has vowed to continue Buhari’s legacy, exhibits some of these tendencies as well,” he stated.

Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s civilian president from 2015 to 2023 and previously as a military head of state, was often criticized for economic difficulties, worsening insecurity, human rights abuses, and opaque governance. His prolonged medical absences abroad in the early years of his civilian administration heightened concerns over the concentration of power among a small circle of aides.

The former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, later revealed that her husband was cautious about dismissing underperforming ministers and aides due to concerns about being perceived as harsh, a reluctance linked to both advancing age and the “dictator” label from his military past.

Sowore’s latest comments reinforce his longstanding critique of successive Nigerian administrations, highlighting what he views as authoritarian tendencies, poor governance, and failures in addressing economic and security challenges.