Prominent columnist and a U.S.-based Nigerian academic, Farooq Kperogi, has issued a public apology to former First Lady Aisha Buhari following the controversy sparked by his earlier disclosure that she had divorced late President Muhammadu Buhari prior to his death.
In a detailed statement, Kperogi admitted to a lapse in judgment in publicizing the claim, acknowledging the emotional pain it caused Mrs. Buhari and those close to her.
Recall that Kperogi, shortly after the death of the former President Muhammadu Buhari was announced last week, had in a social media post claimed that the couple had secretly divorced before Buhari’s death.
In the Facebook post dated July 16, 2025, Kperogi also claimed that Aisha Buhari had quietly reverted to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu, following the end of their marriage.
He noted Aisha’s conspicuous absence from Daura when Buhari retired to his hometown after his presidential tenure ended in May 2023. Kperogi further revealed that Buhari later relocated by himself to Kaduna, underscoring suggestions of a split.
He also cast doubt on reports that Aisha Buhari said her husband had instructed her to beg Nigerians for forgiveness, asserting that no credible source could verify the alleged statement.
These claims obviously fueled fresh controversy and speculation about the late President’s final years and the true state of his family life.
In a new twist to the development, however, Kperogi, yet in an another social media post, today, has explains that while his source in the earlier post had maintained the information on divorce was accurate, the intention was never for it to be made public. To that regard, he recognized that the right to define the status of her marriage rests solely with Mrs. Buhari, emphasizing that her narrative should be respected above all else.
The columnist added that the repercussions of his decision have caused him significant personal anguish, underscoring that the hurt caused outweighed any relevance the information may have had.
Reaching out with an unreserved apology, Kperogi stressed there was no malice or external influence involved in his actions, reiterating his sincere regret for the harm inflicted.
Below is full text of his apology today:
Apology to Aisha Buhari
Farooq Kperogi
Although I absolutely should have foreseen it, I honestly didn’t anticipate the profoundly painful consequences that my July 16 Facebook update titled “Aisha Buhari, Divorce, and Forgiveness Claim” would have on former First Lady Mrs. Aisha Buhari and people closest to her.
It’s one of the worst and cruelest lapses of judgement I have ever committed in my life, and it has been a source of unfathomable personal anguish for me these past few days.
My source, whose integrity is unimpeachable, insists the information is accurate, but never intended for it to become public. Going public with the information was an error on my part, as not every well-sourced information is for public consumption.
On the other side, Alhaji Sani Zorro, former SSA to the First Lady on Public Affairs, whom I hold in the highest esteem, has reached out to question the accuracy of my claims.
I will not contest the particulars and veracity of the information with Alhaji Sani who conveyed the former First Lady’s position that her marriage was intact. After all, as the late MKO Abiola memorably said, no one can give you a haircut in your absence.
Clearly, Mrs. Buhari herself has the ultimate authority and right to define the status of her marriage with her late husband. Her truth should be respected as supreme, whatever other facts may exist.
Moreover, the truth of this information is now far less significant than the hurt my disclosure of it has caused. I shouldn’t have shared it publicly. Period. Doing so violated every moral and ethical principle I cherish and uphold. But it shows I am only human, an imperfect human.
I realize it might be impossible for many to believe (except those who truly know me) that I acted without malice, ulterior motives, or external influence. But I sincerely did not intend to harm Mrs. Buhari or execute any personal vendetta.
To Mrs. Aisha Buhari, I offer my heartfelt and unreserved apology for the needless and deeply regrettable hurt I have caused. I am truly sorry.
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