US-based Nigerian professor and public affairs analyst, Farooq Kperogi has tendered unreserved apology to the former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, over a controversial claim he made about her marital status with the late president.
In a Facebook post published on July 20, Mr Kperogi admitted to making a serious error of judgment by alleging that Mrs Buhari and her husband had divorced shortly after he left office in 2023.
The initial update, which made waves on social media just days after the former president’s death and burial, was widely syndicated by several national news platforms. Most outlets had quoted Mr Kperogi directly, which gave the Aisha Buhari divorce claim more traction and credibility.
However, in his latest post, Mr Kperogi admitted that while his source was a credible person, the story should never have been made public.
“I honestly didn’t anticipate the profoundly painful consequences that my July 16 Facebook update titled ‘Aisha Buhari, Divorce, and Forgiveness Claim’ would have on former First Lady Mrs. Aisha Buhari and people closest to her,” he wrote.
“Going public with the information was an error on my part, as not every well-sourced information is for public consumption,” he stated.
Mr Kperogi also acknowledged the intervention of Alhaji Sani Zorro, the former Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Public Affairs, who had reached out to challenge the accuracy of the Aisha Buhari divorce claim.
According to Mr Kperogi, Mr Zorro conveyed Mrs Buhari’s position that her marriage to the late president remained intact until his death.
“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,” Mr Kperogi added.
“After all, as the late MKO Abiola memorably said, no one can give you a haircut in your absence.”
He went on to acknowledge that regardless of what may or may not be true, the hurt his claim caused outweighs the need to insist on its accuracy.
“Clearly, Mrs. Buhari herself has the ultimate authority and right to define the status of her marriage… Her truth should be respected as supreme.
“I acted without malice, ulterior motives, or external influence,” Mr Kperogi insisted.
“But it shows I am only human, an imperfect human.”
“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.”