Kperogi apologises to Aisha Buhari over controversial divorce claim

Summary

• Farooq Kperogi retracted and apologised for his Facebook post alleging Aisha Buhari divorced her late husband
• He described the post as a severe lapse in judgment, causing him personal anguish and public backlash
• Aisha Buhari, through a former aide, affirmed her marriage to Muhammadu Buhari remained intact until his death
• The apology sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning Kperogi’s sincerity and others commending his admission

Abuja, Nigeria — Nigerian-American professor and political commentator, Farooq Kperogi, has issued a public apology to Nigeria’s former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, over a controversial claim he made about her marital status shortly before the death of her husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a Facebook post published on 16 July 2025, just days after Buhari’s death and burial on 13 July, Kperogi alleged that Aisha had divorced the former president and reverted to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu. He further claimed she was initially reluctant to visit him in London during his final illness and cast doubt on reports that Buhari asked her to seek forgiveness from Nigerians on his behalf.

The post drew heavy criticism for its timing and content, which many deemed insensitive. In response to the public backlash, Kperogi retracted his statements on 20 July and offered an unreserved apology, calling the post “one of the worst and cruelest lapses of judgment” in his life. He admitted the information, though sourced from someone he considered credible, was never meant for public dissemination and went against his own ethical standards.

Kperogi revealed that Alhaji Sani Zorro, a former aide to Aisha Buhari, reached out to him directly, disputing the divorce claims and affirming that the former First Lady’s marriage remained intact until Buhari’s death. Acknowledging this, Kperogi said he would not challenge her account, stating that Aisha Buhari “has the ultimate right to define the status of her marriage.”

He maintained that his actions were not driven by malice or political motive and expressed sincere regret: “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.”

Reactions to the apology have been mixed. Some social media users, including @BashirAhmaad, criticised the original post as irresponsible journalism, particularly coming from an academic. Others, like @TonyeBarcanista, questioned the authenticity of the apology, suggesting it subtly reinforced Kperogi’s initial position.

Despite the criticism, some observers welcomed the apology as a necessary step towards accountability in public commentary, especially in an era where personal reputations can be easily damaged by unverified information.