News
Is it True That Buhari Died in 2017 and Not 2025? Fact Emerges
Rumours that late Muhammadu Buhari had been replaced with a body double called “Jubril” from Sudan had been widely shared online.
The 82-year-old former military and democratic leader had been beset by ill health around 2017
The claim that Buhari had died during a prolonged medical trip to London in 2017 resurfaced after his family announced his death on Sunday, July 13, 2025
Daura, Katsina state – Former President Muhammadu Buhari died in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, 2025, and was given a state burial at his hometown of Daura, Katsina state, two days later.
The conspiracy about Buhari’s death gained traction in 2017 during one of his longest absences from public view. In January of that year, Buhari left Nigeria for medical treatment in the United Kingdom (UK), handing over power temporarily to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
He remained in London for over 100 days, causing anxiety in Nigeria, with people speculating about his health. Some critics even said Elizabeth II, the now-late former Queen of the UK, sent a condolence letter to mark Buhari’s passing.
While his aides insisted he was alive and recuperating, the length of his stay and the government’s tight control over updates stirred suspicion.
In March 2017, Buhari opened up on his health condition after returning to Nigeria, saying he had never been so sick in his life.
He revealed that he underwent a lot of tests and even had a blood transfusion.
When Buhari’s death was announced by his family and ally Garba Shehu on Sunday afternoon, July 13, 2025, multiple social media posts claimed that the Nigerian government’s announcement of the elder statesman’s demise was false information, insisting he died in 2017.
One post by a pro-Biafra Facebook page reads:
“The Nigerian government can only deceive Nigerians; they can’t deceive Biafrans. Buhari died since 2017, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB have stated it. This is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Video demonstration in 2017/2018, stated that the man they imposed on Nigeria as a president is an impostor. Nigeria is scam.”
Fake news about Buhari’s death
Due to the resurgence of this assertion, a fact-checking platform, Africa Check, looked at the claim again.
In its report published on Wednesday, July 30, the media organisation stressed that there is no new evidence for the debunked claim. It ruled that the claim that Buhari died and was buried in 2017 is false.
Buhari’s wife was captured in a video during the presidential condolence visit to Buhari’s relatives in London.
Tinubu mourns Plateau cleric Imam Abubakar, hails courage and humanity
“My Father Sent Me $120,000 From the Grave” — Seun Kuti Brags to Wizkid FCs
Port Harcourt Baddie Nabbed for Reportedly Selling ‘Affordable’ Human Hair to Yahoo Boys
