1. The Sudden Collapse in London

• On July 13, 2025, Muhammadu Buhari died in London at 82, after being treated for age-related complications.
• He had spent much of his presidency flying abroad for treatment. This move deepened public frustration about Nigeria’s deteriorating health infrastructure.
• His death reignited decades-long conversations about transparency in African leadership. This is especially relevant concerning Buhari’s lengthy absences. The strategic silence that followed was also a point of discussion.

2. The “Rat Invasion” at Aso Rock

• In August 2017, Buhari returned from an extended medical leave in the UK. At that time, his Media Aid was Femi Adeshina. His spokesperson was Garba Shehu. They reported he was absent from the main office at Aso Rock. Other Media outlets also reported this absence. They stated that “rats and rodents” had damaged the office infrastructure. The damage was caused by animals.
• In 2025, former spokesperson Garba Shehu admitted this was fabricated. It was a public relations strategy designed to deflect scrutiny from the President’s ailing condition. The “rat invasion” served as a smokescreen, adding fuel to widespread speculations about Buhari’s health—and even identity.

3. The Imposter Allegation, Operation Python Dance, and the Attack on Nnamdi Kanu

• Nnamdi Kanu leads the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He gave one of the most explosive responses to Buhari’s suspicious absences. He publicly claimed in 2017 that President Buhari had died in London. According to Kanu, Buhari had been replaced by a body double from Sudan named “Jubril.”
• Kanu’s viral claim quickly gained traction. The Nigerian military then launched Operation Python Dance II (Egwu Eke II) in the South-East. On 14th September 2017, soldiers invaded Nnamdi Kanu’s family home in Afaraukwu, Abia State.
• The raid resulted in the death of at least 28 people, many of them Kanu’s supporters and family members. Kanu narrowly escaped assassination and disappeared for over a year.
• In October 2018, he resurfaced—praying at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, confirming he had escaped Nigeria. This event re-ignited global debates on state repression, extrajudicial force, and the credibility of Kanu’s claims.

“The invasion of my family home was a state-sanctioned assassination attempt. They came to kill the truth I spoke about Buhari.” — Nnamdi Kanu (2019)

Watch the Buhari’s death and burial controversies expository video below:

This chain of events—from bold public accusations to a brutal military crackdown—was alarming. It showed Buhari’s administration’s intolerance for dissent. This is particularly true concerning discussions of secession. It also pertains to leadership transparency and civil rights.

4. The Rendition of Nnamdi Kanu

• In June 2021, Kanu was abducted in Kenya under clandestine circumstances. He was brought back to Nigeria in what international observers labeled extraordinary rendition. This method is deemed illegal under international law.
• The process lacked judicial oversight. It sparked condemnation from civil rights groups, the UN, and many Nigerians. They saw it as a violation of sovereignty and due process.

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• Mamman Daura, Nigeria’s De Facto President Who Rules From The Glass House – Farooq Kperogi

• Nnamdi Kanu: ‘Behold the latest version of Buhari’, others react (Video & Text)

5. Legacy of Contradictions: What Buhari Left Behind

✅ Strengths

• Made history by becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president in Nigeria’s democratic history (2015). This happened with the assistance or political influence of the former US President, Barrack Obama and others.
• Late Buhari spearheaded anti-corruption campaigns, leading to over 600 convictions, including former governors and military officials. Nevertheless, most of the convictions were tagged “politically motivated.”

❌ Shortcomings

• Nigeria slipped into two recessions under his watch. Inflation and youth unemployment remained persistently high.
• Insecurity remained rampant despite military spending. Regions like the North-East remained under siege by insurgents.
• Civil liberties were frequently undermined—from internet bans to press intimidation.

6. The Hidden Lessons and Ignored Realities

• Strategic Deception: The Buhari era focused on narrative control. This was evident from the “rat” excuse to the military response to dissenters like Kanu. This focus was evident rather than on open governance.
• Suppression Over Dialogue: The government used military force against civilian agitators. This was particularly evident in the South-East. This action highlighted the lack of constructive engagement with dissent.
• Silence Breeds Speculation: Buhari’s prolonged absences caused speculation. The lack of medical transparency also contributed to this. It paved the way for conspiracy theories. Some of these theories were extreme, while others were rooted in observable inconsistencies.

🧭 Final Thoughts

The death of Muhammadu Buhari in 2025 did not just mark the end of a political figure. It reopened unresolved questions about truth, transparency, and state accountability. Nnamdi Kanu made bold accusations. Dissent was violently silenced via Operation Python Dance II. Mysterious excuses about rats in the presidency added to the intrigue. Much of Buhari’s legacy rests on what was left unsaid.

If Nigeria is to move forward, its leaders must confront these buried truths. Silence breeds suspicion. Suppressed truth leads to instability.