Aisha Buhari Denies Divorce Report, Professor Apologises
Nigeria’s former First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, has denied reports of her divorce from late President Muhammadu Buhari. The denial was conveyed through Alhaji Sani Zorro, her former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs.
Professor Backtracks
Farooq Kperogi, the US-based professor who initially reported the divorce, has apologised for the story. In a Facebook post, Kperogi attributed the denial to Zorro and expressed regret for sharing the information without verifying it with Aisha Buhari directly.
Kperogi described his actions as a “lapse of judgment” and acknowledged that he should not have shared the information publicly. He emphasised that Aisha Buhari’s truth about her marriage should be respected and apologized for the hurt caused.
“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.
“On the other side, Alhaji Sani Zorro, former SSA to the First Lady on Public Affairs, whom I hold in the highest esteem, has reached out to question the accuracy of my claims.
“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.
“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.
“Moreover, 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. Doing so violated every moral and ethical principle I cherish and uphold. But it shows I am only human, an imperfect human.
“I realize it might be impossible for many to believe (except those who truly know me) that I acted without malice, ulterior motives, or external influence. But I sincerely did not intend to harm Mrs. Buhari or execute any personal vendetta.
“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.”
Aisha’s Response
Through Zorro, Aisha Buhari maintained that her marriage to the late President was intact, and her account of the situation should be taken as the truth.
