Former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has dismissed rumours about a separation from her late husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari, insisting their marriage remained intact until his death on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
This comes amid a public apology from U.S.-based Nigerian scholar, Professor Farooq Kperogi, who had earlier alleged that Aisha dropped Buhari as her surname and reverted to her maiden name, Halilu.
He also claimed she was reluctant to travel to the UK to care for her husband when he fell ill.
Kperogi’s claims stirred massive public interest, especially after he cited quotes allegedly attributed to Aisha where she was said to have revealed that Buhari asked her to seek forgiveness from Nigerians on his behalf.
He went further to state that the couple were no longer married at the time of Buhari’s death.
However, following the backlash, Kperogi retracted his claims and issued a heartfelt apology to Aisha Buhari on Sunday, July 20.
In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page, he described his July 16 publication as “one of the worst and cruelest lapses of judgment” of his life.
“Although I absolutely should have foreseen it, I honestly didn’t anticipate the profoundly painful consequences that my Facebook update titled ‘Aisha Buhari, Divorce, and Forgiveness Claim’ would have on former First Lady Mrs. Aisha Buhari and people close to her,” he wrote.
Kperogi acknowledged that his source — though described as “highly trusted” — never intended for the sensitive information to be made public.
He admitted that not all well-sourced intel should be shared.
He also referenced Alhaji Sani Zorro, former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the First Lady, who challenged the accuracy of the claims and firmly stated that Aisha’s marriage to Buhari was never dissolved.
“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,” Kperogi conceded.
He ended his statement with a direct apology:
“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.”
The apology brings an emotional close to a saga that blurred the lines between personal grief and public commentary, reminding commentators of the weight of responsibility that comes with their platforms.
