Former President Muhammadu Buhari Dies at 82, Body Returned to Nigeria
London/Abuja – July 14, 2025 – Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has died at the age of 82 in London, United Kingdom, where he had been receiving medical care.
President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead a delegation to London to accompany Buhari's body back to Nigeria. The body has since landed in Nigeria, with dignitaries, press, and supporters gathered to receive it.
Burial Arrangements
According to the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, who consulted with the late president's family in London, the burial has been rescheduled from Monday to Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. in Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites.
Enduring Conspiracy Theories and Public Reactions
Buhari's death has reignited discussions around a long-standing conspiracy theory, widely circulated during his presidency, alleging that he had died much earlier and was replaced by a body double named "Jubril of Sudan." This theory, despite being officially denied by Buhari himself in 2018, has continued to resonate with some segments of the public. The presence of allies like former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha at the London clinic where Buhari died has also been noted by the public.
A Divisive Legacy
Reactions to Buhari's passing have been varied, reflecting his complex and often divisive eight-year tenure as an elected civilian president (2015-2023), following an earlier stint as a military head of state (1983-1985).
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, in a strongly worded statement, described Buhari as a "soulless tyrant" who "destroyed the economy and ruined everything he touched." Sowore particularly highlighted instances of human rights abuses under Buhari's administration, including the alleged massacre of Shiite men, women, and children, the shooting of #EndSARS protesters, the disappearance of journalist Abubakar Idris (Dadiyata), and the proscription of IPOB. He asserted that "we do not mourn tyrants; we remember their victims." SaharaReporters also reported that Buhari died of leukemia, an illness he had reportedly been managing for a long time.
Conversely, many Nigerians and political figures have expressed condolences and praised Buhari's commitment to fighting corruption and his efforts in infrastructure development.
The passing of Muhammadu Buhari marks the end of an era in Nigerian politics, leaving behind a legacy that will undoubtedly continue to be debated and analyzed.
