By Izunna Okafor, Awka
So, who actually died — Muhammadu Buhari or Jubril of Sudan?
That is the question that should be answered by many Nigerians now, following the recent announcement of the demise of the immediate-past Nigerian President. Yes, former Nigerian President is dead, Buhari — they said. But some still can’t help but rewind to a certain controversial episode in Nigeria’s modern folklore: the Jubril saga.
Nigerians are indeed a unique species.
For many years, the air was thick with speculations, conspiracy theories, and a flurry of social media arguments, as some Nigerians insisted that the man who ruled Nigeria from 2015 to 2023 was not the original Muhammadu Buhari, but one Jubril from Sudan.
This episode began in 2017, when Buhari spent months in a London hospital for undisclosed health reasons, which left the nation agog with the whispers and then consequent loud assertions that the man who returned was no longer Buhari, but a certain Jubril from Sudan — allegedly a clone or body double.
According to these theorists, the real Buhari allegedly died during that medical trip to the United Kingdom, only for a certain Jubril to be smuggled into the Nigeria as a doppelgänger to impersonate him. And, like play like play, this became a point of debate and contention, with many clinging tightly to the suspicion.
Despite the countless denials, rebuttals, and even jokes from Buhari himself, who dismissed the rumour (while he was still in office) with waves of his characteristic dry humour, the suspicion continued to linger.
In fact, some Nigerians even claimed that they could tell the difference between the “real” Buhari and the alleged impostor by merely comparing photos or pointing out discrepancies in height, handwriting, his ear, and even the tone of his voice.
However, some others simply dismiss such claims as the wild imaginations of idle minds, propaganda, or politically motivated distractions.
Interestingly, the conspiracy gained even more momentum online after the time when Buhari himself once joked about the theory while addressing a summit during a trip in Poland in 2018, saying, “Some Nigerians said I am a clone. It is the real me, I assure you. I will soon celebrate my 76th birthday.” But instead of settling the debate, that statement only fueled the flames, with some netizens insisting that ”
“the real Buhari” wouldn’t even care to respond, let alone cracking a joke about it.
Therefore, that assurance by him did little to quell the suspicion which had already taken deep roots in certain quarters, especially in the South-East where the theory was most widely spread and discussed.
The phrase “You go explain tire, no evidence” would have sold much well if it had been out by then.
Given the above, as time went by, the “Jubril” narrative became a pop-culture reference, a political jibe, and a tool for opponents and skeptics to mock not just the government, but the gullibility the of the governed. Conspiracy theorists waxed lyrical. Memes exploded across social media. Debates brewed in pepper-soup joints, and even sermons from certain pulpits threw in a pinch of the conspiracy.
However, now that the news of the death of our immediate-past President has hit the airwaves, I think the time is now ripe for Nigerians answer the hard question and to clear the air about the identity of who truly ruled us between 2015-2023. The real Buhari from Daura or the alleged Jubril from Sudan?
This question is very essential, because if it is the real Buhari that died today, where is Jubril ? And, if it is the Jubril that died today, was he actually the one who ruled us from 2015 till 2023?
Moreso, I humbly wish to ask Nigerians: Which of these narratives is now true?
Perhaps, the bigger question Nigerians should ask themselves is not who died between Buhari and Jubril, but whether or how the constant obsession with such conspiracy theories has ever helped in solving any of the pressing socio-political problems plaguing the country.
But then again, in a country like ours, where fact sometimes struggles to coexist with fiction, maybe it is not so much about seeking the truth, but having a story to tell — no matter how unbelievable it sounds.
Fellow Nigerians, I ask again: Who actually died on Sunday at the age of 82 — Muhammadu Buhari of Daura or the so-called Jubril from Sudan?
Whoever it is, may his soul find eternal rest in the bosom of his Maker, Amen.
