Controversy erupted online following a scathing reaction by DJ Switch to the death of Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari. Her comment, “One down,” has ignited fury from political figures and supporters of the late leader, with APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe leading the backlash.
Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch, made headlines once again—this time not for her activism during the #EndSARS protests, but for a blunt post celebrating the passing of former President Buhari.
Following the announcement of Buhari’s death in a London hospital at age 82, DJ Switch took to her Instagram to write:
“Wow! The sweet reality of inevitability. RIP MF. One down.”
She followed up with a short video, declaring that Buhari “achieved nothing” during his presidency and alleging that he inflicted pain and regression on Nigeria.
In the now-viral video, DJ Switch further claimed that Buhari’s administration was defined by suppression of free speech, disregard for human rights, and complicity in the infamous 2020 Lekki Toll Gate shooting—an event she streamed live and which thrust her into the global spotlight.
Igbokwe Reacts
Joe Igbokwe, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and staunch Buhari loyalist, didn’t hold back his response.
Taking to Facebook, Igbokwe condemned DJ Switch’s remarks as distasteful and disrespectful, calling her a “child of anger” with no understanding of governance or the sacrifices made by leaders.
“You call yourself a DJ and activist, yet you celebrate death? This isn’t activism, this is hatred. You danced to blood and now mock the dead? Your bitterness won’t lead to nation building,” he wrote.
Public Divided
The comment sections of both DJ Switch and Igbokwe’s posts have since become battlegrounds. While some Nigerians applauded DJ Switch for her candor, others found her tone deeply inappropriate—even if they agreed with her criticism of Buhari’s tenure.
One Instagram user wrote:
“She said what many are thinking but couldn’t say.”
Another countered:
“There’s a time for everything. That wasn’t it. We must learn to be better, even when we disagree.”
Context
DJ Switch became a household name during the 2020 #EndSARS protests when she livestreamed the alleged shooting of unarmed protesters by Nigerian security forces at Lekki Toll Gate. Her activism earned her international recognition but also placed her in the crosshairs of the government and its supporters.
Former President Buhari’s administration consistently denied any wrongdoing during the incident, calling it “fake news”—a stance that further deepened DJ Switch’s criticism of the government.
As Nigeria mourns the passing of one of its most controversial former presidents, DJ Switch’s unfiltered outburst has reignited the polarising debate over Buhari’s legacy, the trauma of #EndSARS, and the fine line between free speech and public decency.
This is not the end of the conversation. With Buhari now a figure of history, his legacy will be fought over—on the streets, in parliament, and on every social media timeline.
🕊️ “One down,” DJ Switch wrote. But for many, the debate is only just beginning.
