Farooq Kperogi, a U.S.-based professor of journalism and public affairs analyst, has claimed that the late President Muhammadu Buhari was no longer married to Aisha Buhari at the time of his death. The assertion was made in a Facebook post shared on Kperogi’s verified page on Wednesday.
Kperogi’s comments came in response to circulating reports that Aisha Buhari allegedly said her late husband had asked her to seek forgiveness from Nigerians on his behalf.
He wrote:
“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.”
According to Kperogi, Aisha had already reverted to her maiden name before Buhari’s passing.
“They had divorced, and Aisha reverted to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu.”
He supported his claim with several observations, writing:
“If you paid close attention, you would notice that Aisha didn’t go to Daura when he retired to the town after leaving office. Buhari was also alone 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.
Even now, during this period of mourning, she seems understandably conflicted about her role.”
Kperogi also expressed doubt over the authenticity of the statement attributed to Aisha Buhari:
“So, I’m genuinely curious to know when and where Buhari told her to beg Nigerians for forgiveness. Where did she even say this?”
These comments followed Buhari’s burial in Daura, Katsina State. Aisha Buhari was present at the funeral, appearing visibly emotional and being comforted by dignitaries, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
Records show that Muhammadu Buhari and Aisha were married on December 2, 1989, and had five children together. Reports had previously suggested marital strain. In 2019, SaharaReporters cited Daily Trust to report that Aisha had stayed out of Nigeria for about two months. Sources at the Presidential Villa attributed her prolonged absence to dissatisfaction with internal developments within the presidency. After initially traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, she reportedly continued on to London and did not return with other pilgrims.
