Nigeria, Feb. 16 -- It's hard to imagine that it's nearly eight years since. This time in 2015, I was over the moon with the prospects of a general election that was certain to end the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, which had lost its way.

Folks were so excited at the prospects of change that in the South-West, a Yoruba version of "February", the month of the general election, was improvised as "Fe-Buhari"; meaning, "Love Buhari", thus investing him with the aura of Cupid, the Greek god of erotic love. That's how over the moon we were. Not without a reason.

Boko Haram's violent extremism was at its worst. Life on the streets, schools, and home was insecure. Corruption was rife and audacious. Jonathan claimed he was doing his...