U.S.-based journalism professor and public affairs analyst, Farooq Kperogi, has made a startling claim about Nigeria’s former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, alleging that she was no longer married to late President Muhammadu Buhari at the time of his death.
In a post published on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, July 16, Kperogi alleged that Aisha and Buhari had divorced prior to the former president’s passing and that she had reverted to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu.
“People have been circulating a quote attributed to Aisha Buhari, claiming that Buhari asked her to seek forgiveness from Nigerians on his behalf. I can’t confirm the authenticity of that claim, but what I do know is that before Buhari’s death, he and Aisha were no longer married,” Kperogi wrote.
The analyst also pointed out that Aisha Buhari did not accompany the former president when he moved to Daura after completing his tenure in 2023, nor did she live with him when he later relocated to Kaduna.
“In fact, when he fell ill and it was suggested that Aisha travel to London to care for him, she reportedly hesitated because she was no longer his wife. She eventually went in the last few days before he died, but only after intense persuasion,” he claimed.
Kperogi questioned the legitimacy of the widely shared reports that Buhari instructed Aisha to ask Nigerians for forgiveness, stating that her actions during the mourning period reflect inner conflict.
“Even now, during this period of mourning, she seems understandably conflicted about her role. So, I’m genuinely curious to know when and where Buhari told her to beg Nigerians for forgiveness. Where did she even say this?”
As of the time of filing this report, Aisha Buhari has not publicly responded to Kperogi’s claims.
