Despite his regime being characterised by illegal detention, disregard for court orders and abuse of citizens’ rights, President Muhammadu Buhari said he believes that the strategic partnership between the United States of America and Nigeria will benefit both parties because Nigeria “share common values of democracy and rule of law” with America.

Mr Buhari made this claim in a statement to commemorate United States’ 245th Independence Day by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu on Sunday.

“President Buhari expresses confidence that given the shared values of democracy, rule of law and inclusive prosperity, the strategic partnership and engagements between Nigeria and the United States would continue to grow for the mutual benefits of our two countries and our peoples,” the statement reads in part.

Contrary to Mr Buhari’s claims, there have been many recorded instances of the breaching of rule of law and democratic values under his watch.

Mr Buhari in disobedience to court orders detained former National Security adviser, Dasuki Sambo, Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore, separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu and leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, for several months in spite of court orders granting them bail.

Nigerians have also witnessed cases of killing of protesters across the country as the police and army continue to open live rounds on protesting citizens since Mr Buhari assumed office in 2015.

In 2015, shortly after Mr Buhari assumed office, over 348 members of Shiites Islamic group were massacred and buried in a mass grave by Nigerian military. Though a judicial panel indicted Nigerian Army, no one has been prosecuted six years after.

Similarly in 2016, Amnesty International reported how Nigerian security operatives killed 150 pro-Biafra unarmed protesters.

On October 2020, Nigeria army opened live rounds on protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, killing no fewer than 10 #EndSARS protesters, young Nigerians who were protesting against police brutality and extra judicial killings perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian police.