Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari D!es of Leukemia, Sparks Controversy and Conspiracy Theories
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Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari D!es of Leukemia, Sparks Controversy and Conspiracy Theories
Ola, LAGOS, Nigeria — July 13, 2025
Former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore announced on his Facebook page that former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari passed away on July 13, 2025, due to leukemia, commonly known as blood cancer. Sowore’s posts, which detailed Buhari’s medical history and treatment costs, have reignited longstanding conspiracy theories about the former president’s health and identity, prompting widespread discussion across social media platforms.
According to Sowore, Buhari underwent stem cell therapy in the United Kingdom during his initial illness, with Nigeria reportedly incurring treatment costs of £3,000 per night until his death. The activist, known for founding the online news platform Sahara Reporters, used his announcement to highlight what he described as excessive spending on Buhari’s medical care abroad, a point of contention during the former president’s tenure. Sowore’s claims align with earlier reports of Buhari’s extended medical trips to London, including a notable 104-day stay in 2016 for undisclosed health issues, which fueled public speculation about his condition.
However, Sowore’s posts also stirred controversy by referencing persistent rumors that Buhari d!ed in 2017 and was replaced by an impostor named “Jubril” from Sudan or Uganda. These claims, which surfaced during Buhari’s prolonged medical leave in 2017, were widely debunked at the time. Buhari himself addressed the rumors in December 2018 during a town hall in Poland, stating, “It’s the real me, I assure you. I will soon celebrate my 76th birthday and I will still go strong”. Despite these denials, posts on facebook reacting to Sowore’s announcement echoed the conspiracy theory, with one user claiming, “This man d!ed since 2017…. They brought us a body doubled Buhari from Niger and from 2017 to 2023 we have had about 4 impostors claiming to be Buhari”. Fact-checking efforts, including by Reuters, have consistently found no evidence to support these allegations, labeling them as baseless.
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023 and as military head of state from 1983 to 1985, was a polarizing figure. His administration faced criticism for its handling of security issues, including the Boko Haram insurgency, and for perceived authoritarian measures, such as the controversial arrest of Sowore in 2019 for organizing a #RevolutionNow protest. Sowore was charged with treason and “cyberstalking” for allegedly insulting Buhari, charges he denied. The activist’s detention sparked international outcry, with U.S. senators condemning Nigeria’s government for violating democratic principles.
Public reactions to Buhari’s death have been mixed. Some Nigerians mourned the loss of a leader who, in 2015, achieved a historic victory by defeating an incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan, in a landmark election. Others, like Sowore, criticized Buhari’s legacy, pointing to his administration’s struggles with corruption, insecurity, and economic challenges. On X, users expressed skepticism about the timing of the announcement, with some alleging it was strategically delayed to perpetuate the impostor narrative.
The leukemia diagnosis, as reported by Sowore, has not been officially confirmed by Buhari’s family or the Nigerian government at the time of this report. Previous reports about Buhari’s health were vague, with the former president never publicly disclosing the specifics of his condition during his 2017 medical treatments in London. The lack of transparency fueled speculation, including unfounded claims that Queen Elizabeth II sent a condolence letter in 2017, which Reuters debunked as false.
As Nigeria processes this news, Sowore’s posts have amplified debates about Buhari’s legacy and the persistent conspiracy theories surrounding his presidency. The activist’s claims, while unverified in parts, underscore ongoing tensions about governance, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria.
Opinion: The resurgence of impostor rumors reflects a broader distrust in Nigeria’s political system, exacerbated by years of opaque leadership and unaddressed public grievances. While Sowore’s activism highlights critical issues, the spread of unverified claims risks further polarizing discourse. Official confirmation of Buhari’s cause of death and transparent communication could help dispel myths and focus attention on Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
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