Nigeria and indeed the world were rocked yesterday when news broke that former President Muhammadu Buhari had died in London on July 13, 2025, at age 82, following a prolonged illness.

Swiftly, the presidency confirmed the death. Aso Rock sources indicated that President Bola Tinubu dispatched Vice President Shettima to London to receive Buhari’s body, with plans to transport it to Katsina for burial according to Islamic rites. But as Nigerians prepare for mourning, a tidal wave of unanswered questions is already surfacing—some obvious, others deeply unsettling.

Why the suddenness?

Details about Buhari’s health in recent months have been murky. While the presidency cited a “prolonged illness,” scant information was ever shared with the public. How long was he actually in the hospital? What were his diagnoses? Some critics point to previous foreign medical absences—when he spent weeks overseas receiving treatment—as evidence of escalating and withheld health concerns.

Longstanding conspiracy theories may gain traction

This latest announcement coincidentally reignites bizarre yet persistent rumors—circulating since at least 2017—that had Buhari secretly died and been replaced by an “impostor” or clone, dubbed “Jubril” by separatist groups. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) recently referred to Buhari’s death as “fulfillment” of old prophecies by their leader Nnamdi Kanu, who in 2017 claimed “Buhari died in a London hospital… what was being paraded thereafter was an imposter.”

Now, with Buhari officially dead, IPOB is doubling down:

“Buhari’s death is a fulfillment of the prophecy… which one of them exactly?” — IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful

Public speculation will only grow louder: Was Buhari ever alive? Was there a body double? Was the real Buhari even in London until yesterday?

Will accountability follow?

IPOB is now demanding answers:

“Who signed billions in his name? Who travelled abroad to negotiate arms deals? Who was re‑inaugurated in 2019?”

These aren’t hypothetical questions—they’re legal and political time bombs. If Buhari died before 2019 but remained in office under false pretenses, it raises issues around election validity, executive acts, treaties, and a potential constitutional scandal. So far, no government official has addressed these accusations.

The health transparency problem

Buhari’s health record was notoriously opaque. During his presidency, extended absences in London triggered national fear and swirling rumors. His administration dismissed them substantially, with tens of fact-checks labeling death and clone speculations as “baseless.”

But now, that culture of secrecy is under intense spotlight. What exactly was hidden from the public? Why no full medical disclosure? Were those absences ever legitimate?

Political fallout and who fills the vacuum

Buhari’s death comes two years after he voluntarily stepped down in 2023, leaving office for Tinubu. Yet, his ideological presence still looms large. His death makes his legacy—and weaknesses—ripe for political review. Analysts already speculate this could reshape intra-party splits, constitutional amendments, and the national security timeline. It may also reinvigorate IPOB’s separatist campaign, especially among northern communities still loyal to Buhari’s brand of anti-corruption.

What Nigerians—and the world—need now: clarity

Official transparency: Detailed medical disclosure about Buhari’s illness and treatment is essential.

Probe into impostor claims: Even if unlikely, conspiracy theories must be formally addressed to stop further political games and misinformation.

Constitutional integrity: If Buhari indeed died before the term’s end, that would greatly affect past executive edicts, elections, and international agreements.

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Buhari’s death is tragic—but the shadow of secrecy over his final years is explosive. As Nigeria mourns, bold leadership is required. The Tinubu administration must confront these questions head-on: Was Buhari’s health ever misrepresented? When did it truly decline? Who was really acting in his stead?

Beyond honoring Buhari’s memory, Nigeria must now guard its democracy from the aftershocks of mystery and manipulation. Clarifying the record isn’t just transparency—it’s healing the nation from beneath the illusion.