Renowned columnist, journalist and public affairs analyst, Farooq Kperogi, has cast doubt on a widely circulated claim that Aisha Buhari, former First Lady, said the late President Muhammadu Buhari asked her to seek forgiveness from Nigerians on his behalf.
In a post made on his official Facebook pag3 on Wednesday, Kperogi said while the alleged quote attributed to Aisha Buhari has been trending, he could not independently verify its authenticity.
“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,” he noted.
Kperogi went on to reveal what he described as little‑known details about the private life of the former president and his wife, stressing that they were no longer married before Buhari’s death.
“What I do know is that before Buhari’s death, he and Aisha were no longer married. They had divorced, and Aisha reverted to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu,” Kperogi disclosed.
According to him, signs of the separation were visible shortly after Buhari left office.
“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,” he said.
Kperogi further narrated that when Buhari’s health deteriorated and it was suggested that Aisha travel to London to care for him, she initially hesitated because of her marital status.
“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,” Kperogi explained.
He added that even in the ongoing mourning period, the former First Lady appears uncertain about her role.
“Even now, during this period of mourning, she seems understandably conflicted about her role,” Kperogi observed.
The public affairs commentator concluded by questioning the source of the forgiveness claim 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?” he asked.
Kperogi’s comments have sparked further debate over the personal life of the late president and the authenticity of statements linked to the former First Lady.
