The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, “vindicated” after the announcement of the death of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on July 13, 2025. On Monday, July 14, IPOB stated that the development confirms its long-standing allegations that Buhari died in 2017 and an impostor replaced him.
Statement from IPOB
The statement, signed by IPOB spokesperson Comrade Emma Powerful, cites alleged admissions by former presidential spokesman Garba Shehu as corroboration of Kanu’s earlier claims.
“Recall that in 2017, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu—long before he was kidnapped, tortured, and illegally renditioned—declared without equivocation that Muhammadu Buhari died in 2017 in a London hospital and that what was being paraded thereafter was an impostor,” IPOB stated.
According to the group, these claims led to state-led crackdowns on Kanu. This included the launch of Operation Python Dance. IPOB alleges the military exercise was a targeted attempt to eliminate its leader.
Questions Over Government Decisions
In light of the new information, IPOB has raised several questions regarding the legality and legitimacy of governmental decisions made after 2017.
“We ask: who signed billions in his name? Who travelled abroad to negotiate arms deals and treaties? Who contested in 2019? Also, who was re-inaugurated in 2019 and moved around with a different ear structure and signature? Is Nigeria now ready to prosecute itself for the crime of mass deception?” the group queried.
Describing the situation as “a national hoax of historic proportions,” IPOB accused Nigerian authorities of criminal deception and electoral fraud. The group said the Nigerian people “were not only lied to—they were criminally defrauded by their own government.”
Call for Accountability
IPOB is calling for an independent investigation into all actions taken under Buhari’s name after 2017 and demands accountability from those involved.
“In saner climes, heads would roll. In Nigeria, it is business as usual. Garba Shehu has confessed. Where is the DSS?” the statement asked.
Defense of Nnamdi Kanu
IPOB also took the chance to defend Kanu, who is now in jail and whose statements about Buhari’s claimed death have finally been proven correct.
“To those who mocked Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, today is a good day to bow your heads in shame and seek forgiveness—not from us, but from the truth you tried so hard to bury,” the group said. “The Oracle of the Most High God, whom you called a madman, has been vindicated by the very system that conspired to silence him.”
IPOB’s statement positions the death announcement as a pivotal moment in its struggle. It further reiterates calls for recognition of Kanu’s claims and an apology from those who dismissed him.
“If you see Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, stand up. Because you are in the presence of a man whose courage to speak the truth has now become divine revelation. Nigeria, the mask has finally slipped. What will you do now?” the statement concluded.
Paul Biya’s Candidacy Raises Parallels
The IPOB statement comes just one day after Cameroonian President Paul Biya, aged 92, announced via social media on 13 July 2025 that he intends to seek re-election. Biya’s absence from public life for several months has sparked concerns about his health and ability to govern.
Observers have drawn parallels between the renewed Buhari claims and Biya’s announcement. This is because both instances are raising public speculation over transparency, succession, and leadership legitimacy in Central and West Africa.
IPOB has not commented directly on Biya’s re-election bid. However, the group’s remarks suggest a broader concern about opaque leadership practices and the dangers of political continuity without public accountability.
