On July 20, 2025, Farooq Kperogi, a prominent Nigerian-American academic and public affairs commentator, issued a heartfelt public apology to former First Lady Aisha Buhari for claiming she had divorced her late husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari, before his death on July 13, 2025. The controversial claim, made in a July 16 Facebook post titled “Aisha Buhari, Divorce, and Forgiveness Claim,” sparked widespread outrage and debate across Nigeria. Kperogi’s initial post alleged that Aisha had reverted to her maiden name, Halilu, and was hesitant to care for Buhari during his final illness in London, citing their alleged divorce. The post quickly gained traction, fueling speculation and criticism on social media platforms.
Kperogi, a professor of journalism at Kennesaw State University, admitted in his apology that sharing the information was a grave error in judgment, describing it as “one of the worst and cruelest lapses” of his career. He revealed that his source, whom he described as having “unimpeachable integrity,” insisted the information was accurate but was never intended for public consumption. However, after Alhaji Sani Zorro, a former aide to Aisha Buhari, reached out to challenge the claim and affirm that her marriage remained intact until Buhari’s death, Kperogi chose to retract his statement. He emphasized that Aisha Buhari has the ultimate authority to define the status of her marriage, stating, “Her truth should be respected as supreme, whatever other facts may exist”.
The controversy stirred mixed reactions across Nigeria, with some commending Kperogi for taking responsibility, while others criticized the initial post as insensitive, especially given the timing of Buhari’s recent passing. Social media posts on X reflected the polarized sentiment, with users like @DejiAdesogan labeling Kperogi’s actions as “jankara journalism” and others, such as @ogundamisi, questioning the obsession of intellectuals with “gutter-like stories”. The public debate highlighted the delicate balance between free speech and the ethical responsibility of commentators when handling sensitive personal matters, particularly those involving public figures.
Aisha Buhari, through her former aide Sani Zorro, firmly denied the divorce allegations, asserting that her marriage to the late president remained intact until his passing. This clarification came amidst a period of national mourning, as Buhari’s death in a London clinic prompted reflections on his legacy. Kperogi’s apology underscored his lack of malicious intent, noting that the emotional harm caused outweighed any potential truth in the claim. “I shouldn’t have shared it publicly. Period. Doing so violated every moral and ethical principle I cherish,” he wrote. The incident has reignited discussions about the responsibility of public commentators to verify and handle sensitive information with care.
