16 July 2025 – In a revelation that has sparked widespread discussion across Nigeria and beyond, prominent columnist and academic Farooq Kperogi has claimed that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife Aisha were divorced prior to his death. This assertion comes amid circulating reports of Aisha Buhari pleading with Nigerians to forgive her late husband for any wrongs committed during his tenure.
According to Kperogi, who shared his thoughts in a social media post, the couple had parted ways before Buhari’s passing, with Aisha reportedly reverting to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu. He pointed out several indicators of this alleged separation, including Aisha’s absence when Buhari retired to Daura after leaving office in 2023, and his solitary relocation to Kaduna later on.
Kperogi further detailed that when Buhari fell ill and was receiving treatment in London, Aisha initially hesitated to travel there to care for him, citing their divorced status. She only visited in the final days before his death following significant persuasion. Even during the current period of national mourning, Kperogi noted, Aisha appears “understandably conflicted about her role.”
The claims have emerged against the backdrop of a widely shared quote attributed to Aisha Buhari, in which she purportedly stated that her husband had instructed her to seek forgiveness from Nigerians on his behalf before his death. “Ever since he left office, he often told me that if he passed away before me, I should kindly ask Nigerians to forgive him for any wrongs he might have committed,” the quote reads, as reported in various outlets. Aisha is said to have added an emotional plea: “Therefore, for the sake of Allah, I beg everyone to forgive him before he is taken to his final resting place.”
However, Kperogi expressed scepticism about the authenticity of this forgiveness request, questioning when and where Buhari might have conveyed such a message to Aisha, given their alleged divorce. “I’m genuinely curious to know when and where Buhari told her to beg Nigerians for forgiveness. Where did she even say this?” he wrote.
The late President Muhammadu Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s leader from 2015 to 2023, passed away recently, prompting an outpouring of tributes and reflections on his administration. His time in office was characterised by efforts to combat corruption, insecurity, and economic challenges, though it drew criticism for perceived failures in these areas. Aisha Buhari had previously apologised on behalf of the administration in 2022, acknowledging that it had not meet public expectations.
Responses to Kperogi’s post have been varied, with some commentators disputing the divorce claim. One individual asserted, “the late president and Aisha never divorced. This is a fact,” in a comment on the post. Meanwhile, the forgiveness plea has been amplified across social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, where videos and posts have garnered significant engagement.
Neither Aisha Buhari nor representatives of the Buhari family have issued an official response to these claims at the time of writing. As Nigeria continues to mourn the loss of one of its key political figures, these revelations add a personal layer to the ongoing evaluation of his legacy.
The story is developing, with public interest likely to persist as more details surface.
