"This Lady Needs Help" — APC’s Joe Igbokwe Blasts DJ Switch Over Her Reaction to Buhari’s Death

In what has now ignited a fresh wave of political and social media firestorms, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Joe Igbokwe has slammed popular Nigerian disc jockey and activist, DJ Switch, over her controversial reaction to the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The outspoken APC loyalist didn’t hold back in his criticism, stating pointedly that “this lady needs help” as he rebuked what he described as an insensitive and disgraceful outburst.

Former President Buhari’s death, which was announced on Sunday, July 13, 2025, sent shockwaves across the nation and beyond, triggering a flood of condolences from political figures, foreign leaders, civil society groups, and everyday Nigerians. However, amidst the national mourning, DJ Switch — real name Obianuju Catherine Udeh — took to her X (formerly Twitter) account to post what many have now described as an unfiltered and controversial reaction. In her tweet, she said, “The dead finally sleeps. May the souls of all those who didn’t get justice under him find peace. As for him, well... I have no tears to waste.”

The tweet immediately caught the attention of thousands and sparked intense debates. While some hailed her for what they called a bold expression of truth, others, especially within the political class, found her remarks deeply offensive and disrespectful. Joe Igbokwe, a long-time supporter of the APC and known for his strong political views, was one of the first major political figures to issue a direct response. In a Facebook post that quickly went viral, Igbokwe wrote, “This lady needs help. To mock a dead man, a former President, no matter your grievances, is to mock the values of our culture, our democracy, and basic human decency. It is an abomination in our land to dance on anyone’s grave.”

He further accused DJ Switch of seeking cheap attention and riding on the coattails of tragedy to remain relevant. “What has she done to improve the nation since her Lekki moment? Nothing but bitterness, slander, and social media theatrics. We are a nation that forgives, but we do not forget insults to our elders,” he added.

DJ Switch has long been a controversial figure in Nigerian political discourse, especially after the #EndSARS protests of October 2020, during which she livestreamed the alleged shooting of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate. Her actions gained international attention and won her admiration from many youths and human rights advocates. However, they also earned her powerful enemies within the political establishment, particularly among those who believed she exaggerated or misrepresented events to tarnish the government’s image.

Buhari, who served two terms as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023, remained a polarizing figure until his death. While some hailed him for infrastructural strides and anti-corruption efforts, others criticized him for his perceived authoritarian tendencies, economic mismanagement, and failure to curb insecurity. For many like DJ Switch, Buhari’s administration is forever associated with the trauma and suppression of the #EndSARS protests — a memory that remains raw, even in his death.

The divide in public opinion following DJ Switch’s tweet reflects the larger tension that continues to linger between Nigeria’s youthful activist class and the old political guard. While many on social media praised her for “speaking truth to power,” critics accused her of hypocrisy and tastelessness. “You cannot claim to fight for justice and still rejoice when someone dies,” one user replied. “What kind of justice is that?”

Meanwhile, the backlash has not deterred DJ Switch from doubling down on her stance. In a follow-up post, she wrote, “I will not be bullied into silence. I did not celebrate death, I simply stated the truth — that justice was denied to too many under this man. If you call that disrespect, then your loyalty is to power, not to justice.”

The entire episode has once again placed DJ Switch in the center of national controversy and raised questions about how Nigerians should navigate the complicated relationship between memory, mourning, and accountability. Can a nation mourn its leader while also acknowledging his flaws? Is it possible to respect death without erasing painful legacies?

As the debate rages, observers are noting the widening generational and ideological gaps within Nigeria’s political conversation. Joe Igbokwe, representing a segment of the old guard who prioritizes tradition, loyalty, and political stability, sees DJ Switch’s actions as a direct assault on Nigerian values. But for many of Nigeria’s younger, more progressive population, silence in the face of injustice — even in death — is complicity.

Public figures, media outlets, and civil society groups have since begun to weigh in, urging caution, restraint, and mutual respect. The Human Rights League of Nigeria issued a statement defending DJ Switch’s freedom of expression while also calling for sensitivity in national discourse. “Democracy cannot exist without dissent,” the statement read. “But neither can unity exist without empathy.”

As funeral preparations for the late President Buhari begin under the coordination of a high-level inter-ministerial committee, the tension between reverence for leadership and the reckoning with a troubled legacy continues to simmer. With calls already growing for DJ Switch to apologize — which she shows no sign of doing — it’s evident that this clash between an activist’s raw honesty and a nation’s reverence for its former leader will not die down soon.

For Joe Igbokwe and many in his political circle, DJ Switch has crossed a sacred line. For DJ Switch and her supporters, she has simply dared to speak what many are afraid to say. What is certain, however, is that this episode has reignited unresolved tensions from the Buhari era — tensions that no funeral can easily bury.