Muhammadu Buhari (born December 17, 1942) is a Nigerian politician and a retired Major General in the Nigerian Army who was the military ruler of Nigeria from December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985.[1][2] The term Buharism is ascribed to the Buhari military government.[3][4] He also ran unsuccessfully for the office of the President of Nigeria in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections. His ethnic background is Fulani, and his faith is Islam; he is a native of Daura in Katsina State of Nigeria.