Controversy Flares as Kemi Olunloyo Celebrates Buhari’s Death, Claims Her Father Will Meet Him in Hell

 

Outspoken Nigerian investigative journalist, Kemi Olunloyo, has sparked a wave of reactions online following her blunt and controversial comments on the death of Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari. The 82-year-old ex-leader passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2025, in London after battling a prolonged illness. While many Nigerians took to various platforms to offer condolences and reflect on Buhari's political legacy, Olunloyo’s remarks took a starkly different tone.

Rather than joining the crowd in mourning, Kemi used her social media platform to voice scathing opinions about the late president. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), she sensationally claimed that Buhari and her late father, Victor Omololu Olunloyo, are now united at the "Gates of Hell." Her comment quickly trended online, drawing mixed reactions from both critics and supporters.

“Buhari and my father Olunloyo meet for the FIRST TIME at the Gates of Hell🔥🚒😈😁 Same year😅🕊💔⚰️🪦🗳🇳🇬 2025,” she wrote. She went on to assert that her father never met Buhari in life, despite both being involved in Nigeria’s political landscape. According to her, Buhari's military coup in 1983 played a role in ending her father's political momentum.

Kemi did not stop at that. She challenged the officially stated age of Buhari, questioning whether he was truly 82 at the time of his death. She hinted that the former president might have been older, alleging, “Hope his family can now tell the world he was 89 and not 82 cos he was 48yo same age as my dad in 1983 when he took over Shagari’s democracy.”

This public commentary has reopened debates about Buhari’s tenure and legacy. During his military regime and two-term civilian presidency, Buhari was both praised for his anti-corruption stance and criticized for economic mismanagement and alleged human rights violations. His death has reignited those conversations, and Olunloyo’s remarks have added a deeply personal and controversial layer.

Political observers are noting the intensity of her statement, especially the symbolic comparison of hell as a meeting place for two influential Nigerian figures. Although many were stunned by her lack of diplomacy, others acknowledged her longstanding resentment toward the former head of state, particularly regarding his role in disrupting Nigeria’s democratic trajectory in the early 1980s.

Victor Omololu Olunloyo, Kemi’s father, served as the governor of Oyo State in Nigeria's Second Republic before the 1983 coup led by Buhari ended the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari. That political event changed the course of many politicians’ careers, and Kemi has consistently referred to it as a turning point that affected her family.

On social media, reactions to her post were swift. While some users applauded her boldness and unfiltered expression, others described her comments as disrespectful and insensitive, especially considering the timing of Buhari’s death. Still, Kemi remains unshaken in her stance, continuing to engage her followers with follow-up posts and unapologetic commentary.

Beyond the controversy, her comments touch on unresolved sentiments held by several Nigerians who either suffered or prospered under Buhari’s rule. His legacy, already viewed through a deeply divided lens, now finds itself being evaluated even more intensely in the wake of his death.

Olunloyo’s criticisms extend beyond politics. She has made a name for herself by challenging public figures, spreading unconventional narratives, and refusing to conform to mainstream expectations. Her latest reaction to Buhari’s passing aligns with this persona and reflects her enduring commitment to being a disruptor in the Nigerian media and political space.

As Nigerians prepare for Buhari’s burial and the national mourning period unfolds, Kemi’s voice has ensured that the conversation will not be limited to tributes and ceremonies. The questions she raised about transparency, legacy, and historical memory have opened a new front in the public dialogue.

The late president, who served as Nigeria’s head of state from 1983 to 1985 and again as a democratically elected leader from 2015 to 2023, leaves behind a legacy filled with achievements and controversies alike. Whether history will remember him more for his discipline or his authoritarianism remains uncertain. One thing is clear though: voices like Kemi Olunloyo's will continue to challenge the official narrative and force the nation to reckon with its past.