For months, rumours had spread on social media of the death of Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari and his subsequent replacement by an imposter from Sudan named Jubril. Many Nigerians fell for the fake news which was widely peddled by opposition politicians as the country prepares for a general election in February next year in which Buhari is contesting.
It was reported to have been started by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Biafran separatist organisation, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who had said in a video that Buhari died in 2017 and replaced by Jubril who went through plastic surgery to be a Buhari lookalike. He alleged that Buhari was buried in Saudi Arabia.
The Jubril theories kept making the rounds on social media platforms and on Youtube with videos and pictures making comparisons between the president and his speculated clone.
Buhari’s ears, hands, height and face were compared and contrasted by many Nigerians fuelling the theories and drawing others into the conversation without any evidence.
Some of the Jubril theorists have demanded a DNA test to prove or disprove their claim which has been widely believed by many Nigerians.
The president addressed the speculations in a town hall session with Nigerians in Poland where he described the rumours as “ignorant and irreligious” when he was asked about Jubril.
“It’s real me, I assure you … I will soon celebrate my 76th birthday and I will still go strong … A lot of people hoped that I died during my ill health,” he said.
Buhari has spent about 5 months in Britain last year for treatment for an undisclosed illness which raised several suspicions and sparked demonstrations for him to give up power. He returned from the long medical leave to lead the government which was being managed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was the acting president in Buhari’s absence.
This is the first time a rumour of an African president being cloned has surfaced.
Tiger Woods is set to receive $100 million from PGA Tour Enterprises for his loyalty,…
Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback, has shown his affection for the community by contributing…
It appears Shaquille O'Neal is willing to go all the way out to pamper his…
A U.S. Army Major faces up to 240 months in prison after he was found…
In her first interview about her conviction in Russia on drug smuggling charges, WNBA star…
The beloved host of This Morning, Alison Hammond, is making headlines by selling off her…
Two high school students in Grand Rapids, Michigan, have earned a place in history. The…
Derek Floyd, a 36-year-old Fire Department of New York probationary fireman, died of a heart…
A 4-year-old boy fighting end-stage kidney disease lived out his dream as a cop for…
Director Abshir Rageh oversees film production at Astaan, a privately held cable television network in…
Nigerians are eagerly awaiting to welcome their "daughter" Meghan Markle's royal visit next month alongside…
Othello Larenzo Holmes has been charged with attempted indecent assault and faces five counts of…
Dylan Beard is a Howard University graduate who is currently working at a Walmart deli.…
Boxing legend Mike Tyson is not taking any chances as he prepares for his July…
LeBron James has cast uncertainty over his future with the Lakers by declining to confirm…