He first assumed leadership in December 1983 (1984) when the Nigerian military took over leadership by force, but some of his neighbours forced Buhari out of government in 1985. 
O bu ụzọ bata ọchịchị n'ọnwa Disemba 1983 (1984) ka ndịagha Naijirịa nara ọchịchi n'ike, mana ụfọdụ ndị agbatobi ya chuturu Buhari n'ike n'afọ 1985.