In a bewildering twist that has captivated the nation, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma inadvertently mourned current President Bola Tinubu during a public speech, mistakenly referring to him as if he had passed away instead of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The error, captured in a video that has since gone viral, occurred just a week after Buhari’s confirmed death on July 13, 2025, in London at the age of 82.
The incident unfolded as Uzodimma, speaking at what appears to be a formal gathering, began his remarks with the phrase, “May the soul of former President Bola Tinubu…” before correcting himself, realizing the grave mistake. The blunder, labeled a “slip of the tongue” by social media users and political analysts alike, has sparked a firestorm of reactions online, with many questioning the governor’s mental state and others attributing it to the emotional turbulence surrounding Buhari’s recent passing.
Buhari, who led Nigeria as a military strongman in the 1980s and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, passed away in a London hospital, with his death confirmed by both his spokesman and President Tinubu himself. The timing of Uzodimma’s mistake, so close to this significant national event, has led to widespread speculation about whether the governor was momentarily confused or if it was a Freudian slip reflecting deeper political dynamics.
The video, shared by Gistcore Media on X, has amassed thousands of views and retweets, with the hashtag #SlipOfTongue trending as users dissect the implications of the error. Political commentators have noted that such mistakes can have far-reaching consequences in Nigeria’s highly charged political environment, where every word from a public figure is scrutinized.
Governor Uzodimma’s office has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, but the backlash on social media has been swift and unforgiving. Critics argue that the error undermines the governor’s credibility, while supporters claim it was an innocent mistake made under pressure. Regardless, the moment has undeniably become a focal point of discussion, highlighting the delicate balance of power and memory in Nigerian politics.
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