The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Friday, July 18, took to her official X account to reshare an old video in which the late former President Muhammadu Buhari addressed widespread rumours that he had died and was replaced by a clone.
Dabiri-Erewa revisited the viral moment following the death and burial of Buhari in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
In the video clip, Buhari was seen engaging citizens during a presidential town hall meeting, when he was asked to respond to claims that he had died during a medical trip abroad and had since been replaced by a body double.
The former president dismissed the rumours with humour and clarity, saying:
“When I was away on medical vacation last year, a lot of people hoped I was dead. Yemi Osinbajo even had to deal with the rumours. Some people reached out to him to consider them to be his Vice President because they assumed I was dead. It embarrassed him a lot because he visited me. It is the real me. I assure you all.”
The video had previously gained traction during his presidency, especially when conspiracy theories about his health and identity circulated widely on social media.
Dabiri-Erewa’s post has since triggered a new wave of reflection on Buhari’s time in office, especially regarding transparency about his health and the resilience he showed in the face of harsh speculation.
