Kperogi Apologizes to Aisha Buhari Over Divorce Rumour, Says He Regrets ‘Cruelest Lapse of Judgment’
US-based Nigerian academic and columnist, Dr. Farooq Kperogi, has tendered an unreserved public apology to former First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, over a recent Facebook post in which he alleged that she had divorced her late husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement published on his verified Facebook page on Sunday, Kperogi described the July 16 post titled “Aisha Buhari, Divorce, and Forgiveness Claim” as “one of the worst and cruelest lapses of judgment” in his life. He acknowledged the profound emotional distress the post caused Mrs. Buhari and those close to her.
“Although I absolutely should have foreseen it, I honestly didn’t anticipate the profoundly painful consequences that my July 16 Facebook update… would have on former First Lady Mrs. Aisha Buhari and people closest to her,” Kperogi wrote.
He noted that while his source remained adamant about the authenticity of the information, the disclosure was never intended for public consumption and sharing it was a clear misstep.
“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,” he admitted.
Kperogi revealed that Alhaji Sani Zorro, a former Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Public Affairs, reached out to dispute the claim and conveyed Mrs. Buhari’s position that her marriage was intact until the passing of the former president.
“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,” he said.
He added that regardless of any other facts, Mrs. Buhari’s account remains the definitive truth, stressing that her right to define the status of her marriage must be respected.
“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,” Kperogi stated.
The media scholar emphasised that he acted without malice or external influence, adding that he deeply regrets the pain his actions caused.
“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,” he concluded.
The apology comes days after social media reactions trailed his controversial post, prompting calls for clarification and retraction.
