Nigerian journalist and academic Farooq Kperogi has publicly retracted an earlier statement in which he claimed that former President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha Buhari, were divorced prior to the former president’s death.

The retraction comes after wide backlash and direct response from individuals close to the former First Lady. Kperogi, in a statement posted on Facebook, admitted that the information should never have been made public and offered an unreserved apology to Aisha Buhari and her family.

“It’s one of the worst and cruelest lapses of judgment I have ever committed in my life,” Kperogi wrote. “It has been a source of unfathomable personal anguish for me these past few days.”

Statement Highlights

In his post titled “Apology to Aisha Buhari,” Kperogi said that although the source of his information remains confident in its accuracy, the decision to share the information publicly was inappropriate and insensitive.

“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,” he stated.

He noted that Alhaji Sani Zorro, former Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Public Affairs, reached out directly to challenge the accuracy of the claims and relay Aisha Buhari’s stance that her marriage remained intact until President Buhari’s passing.

“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,” he added.

Kperogi emphasized that regardless of the source’s reliability, the personal and emotional toll of the disclosure outweighs any perceived journalistic merit.

“Doing so violated every moral and ethical principle I cherish and uphold. But it shows I am only human—an imperfect human.”

No Malice Intended

He also clarified that there was no malice or ulterior motive behind the post and denied being influenced by any external force.

“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.”