The rumour of President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged cloning and replacement by a body double was a persistent conspiracy theory in Nigeria. Even at death, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was buried three weeks ago, was alleged to have died a second death. The claim had suggested that Buhari died and was replaced by an imposter named a “Jubril from Sudan”. While the body double conspiracy spread like wild fire, it was also widely debunked by experts, with evidence, and logic.
However, the conspiracy theory continued to captivate the imagination of many Nigerians, fueled by what could be described as the government’s lack of transparency and the President’s prolonged absences from public view.
In 2017, during President Buhari’s first term, he was sick and was taken to London for a medical vacation. What could have been a few days or weeks medical vacation transformed into the most historic medical tourism of any Nigerian leader, having lasted for 104 days. Sick, weak and waning by the day, Buhari, when he finally got revived and returned on August 19, 2017, and stepping down from the presidential jet with dark goggles on his face, carried with him the composure of a war general, ready to tackle Nigeria’s situation.
Of course, there were brutal bloodshed in parts of the country. It was a time when carnage was let loose by herders in Kaduna, Borno, Benue and Plateau States.
In this editorial, WatchmanPost examines the origins of this conspiracy theory, the evidence against it, and the implications of such baseless claims on the nation’s stability and progress. We will also explore the role of government transparency in quelling such rumours and the importance of critical thinking in evaluating information.
To begin with, the claim of Buhari’s body double originated from a tweet by @sam_ezeh on September 3, 2017, which quoted Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as saying that Buhari had died and had been replaced by an imposter named Jubril from Sudan. Kanu’s claim was accompanied by alleged hospital reports and a death certificate, which were later debunked as fake.
Despite the lack of credible evidence, the rumour gained traction, fueled by Buhari’s prolonged absence from public view and the government’s lack of transparency about the position of his health. The President’s frequent medical trips abroad and the government’s reluctance to disclose information about his health created an information vacuum that made speculations thrive.
In fact, numerous sources, including the Nigerian government and international partners, have confirmed Buhari’s identity and legitimacy as the President of Nigeria. The lack of evidence supporting the conspiracy theory of his supposed cloning and body double, highlights the importance of critical thinking and scepticism in evaluating information. It is the reason why fake news flies faster across the globe, especially as it is often promoted by those who know nothing about the science of information management.
Again, the events of the recent demise of President Buhari have confirmed that the body double conspiracy was fake news. A closer look at the outpouring of tributes from Nigerians and the international community, as well as the burial rites and the mood of the former first family, reveals the absurdity of this claim. The Buhari family, particularly the former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, was actively involved in the burial process. Aisha and her son, Yusuf were seen standing grief-stricken at Buhari’s burial in Daura, receiving condolences from dignitaries. This display of grief and unity within the family contradicts the narrative of a purported body double.
West African regional leaders and countries like China and India offered condolences, with some Western nations like the United Kingdom, maintaining a silence that has sparked speculation. However, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission did send a condolence message after his burial, which counters claims of deliberate snubbing. The fact that Buhari’s death has been widely acknowledged and mourned by many, both locally and internationally, makes the body double theory highly implausible.
Admittedly, the persistence of the conspiracy theory about Buhari’s body double highlights the importance of critical thinking and media literacy in evaluating information. Citizens must be able to evaluate information based on evidence and logic, rather than speculation and hearsay. The media also have a crucial role to play in promoting critical thinking and media literacy. By providing accurate and unbiased information, the media can help to quell rumours and speculation, promoting a more informed and engaged citizenry.
