By Ephraim Agbo
So, Muhammadu Buhari is dead. Again?
Officially, yes—13th July 2025, at a London hospital. The Nigerian presidency confirmed it. Global headlines flashed. Tributes rolled in. Flags flew half-mast. But here’s the thing: for a whole section of Nigeria, this death isn’t news. They buried Buhari eight years ago—back in 2017.
Let’s talk about it. Not the sanitized, textbook version. But the full spectrum—the facts, the fear, the folklore, and the frustrating, unresolved questions.
🇳🇬 Buhari: The Man, The Soldier, The Politician
Born 17 December 1942 in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari was Nigeria’s soldier-president before it was cool—or constitutional.
He ruled as a military head of state from 1983 to 1985, after overthrowing Shehu Shagari in a coup. His regime was known for its iron discipline, infamous Decree 4, and the "War Against Indiscipline" that made schoolchildren afraid of chewing gum in public.
Then came democracy.
In 2015, after three failed attempts, he did what many thought impossible: he unseated an incumbent president—Goodluck Jonathan—and became Nigeria’s first opposition candidate to win power. The nation hoped for a messiah. What it got… well, depends on who you ask.
🩺 The Vanishing President: London, 2017
Here’s where things get murky.
In early 2017, just two years into his presidency, Buhari disappeared. Literally. He went on medical leave to London and didn’t return for over 150 days. No video. No photos. No voice notes. Just a faceless presidency running on silence and press releases.
When he finally reappeared, Nigerians noticed… something was off.
“He looks thinner.”
“He talks slower.”
“Why is he writing with the other hand?”
“This man is not our Buhari.”
And just like that, the conspiracy theory of the decade was born.
👥 “Jubril from Sudan” – The Impostor Theory
The theory? Muhammadu Buhari died in London in 2017, and a body double—an impostor named Jubril from Sudan—was cloned, coached, or surgically modified to take his place and avoid chaos in Nigeria.
Sounds insane?
Maybe. But millions of Nigerians believed it. Still do.
IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu publicly swore by it. Twitter ran wild. WhatsApp broadcasts exploded. Every “new” picture of Buhari became a forensic case. People compared earlobes, hairlines, even handwriting.
The government? Brushed it off. Buhari himself? Tried humor:
“It’s the real me, I assure you.”
But here’s the thing: the joke didn’t land. It confirmed suspicions for some.
🧠 Why Did the Theory Stick?
Because, let’s be honest—Nigeria breeds mistrust. Governments lie. Officials steal. Presidents disappear. Transparency is a myth. When citizens are left in the dark, they start lighting their own candles.
- Buhari never addressed the nation directly during his absence.
- He rarely did unscripted interviews afterward.
- His public engagements were minimal post-2017.
- His presidency became more symbolic than active.
People asked: “Who’s really ruling Nigeria?”
And if you're thinking, "Come on, Nigerians love drama,"—sure, but this wasn’t Nollywood. This was politics, history, and psychology bleeding into one.
🕯️ So When Did Buhari Actually Die?
The government says July 13, 2025. Age 82. London. After a "prolonged illness." His family and presidency confirmed it.
But for believers in the theory? That was just the final scene of a play that ended years ago. The man who died in 2025 wasn’t Buhari; he was Jubril, they argue. The real Buhari died quietly in 2017—and Nigeria never knew.
⚖️ What’s the Truth?
Here’s where we step back.
There’s no hard proof Buhari died in 2017. No whistleblowers, no leaked death certificates, no surgical files. The theory lacks tangible evidence. But the emotional evidence? That runs deep.
The theory isn’t just about one man. It’s about a betrayed electorate, a silent presidency, and a nation gaslit into confusion.
When trust collapses, conspiracy becomes memory.
🎭 Legacy of a Leader or Legacy of a Lie?
Officially, Buhari will be remembered as a former military ruler turned democrat. A man of "integrity" who fought corruption but struggled with security and the economy. Some say he stabilized Nigeria. Others say he sleepwalked the nation into more poverty and division.
But unofficially?
He’ll also be remembered as the president who was accused of dying twice, whose face never matched his presence, and whose absence was louder than his words.
📅 Key Moments
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 December 1942 |
| Head of State (military) | Dec 1983 – Aug 1985 |
| Elected President | 29 May 2015 |
| Medical Leave | Jan – Aug 2017 |
| Alleged Death | 2017 |
| End of Tenure | 29 May 2023 |
| Official Death | 13 July 2025 |
Final Thought
Maybe Buhari died in 2017. Maybe he didn’t. But in the heart of many Nigerians, the story of Buhari became less about facts and more about feelings—a symbol of how power can feel distant, unaccountable, and almost surreal.
Whether you believe in Jubril from Sudan or not, one thing’s certain: Buhari's legacy will be argued for decades to come—not just for what he did, but for what we never really knew.
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