A respected media scholar, Prof. Farooq Kperogi, has alleged that Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s immediate past First Lady, was no longer married to former President Muhammadu Buhari at the time of the former leader’s death on Sunday, July 13.
Kperogi, a Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media at Kennesaw State University in the United States, made the statement on Wednesday via his verified Facebook page.
He said Aisha had already dropped the Buhari surname and returned to her maiden name, Halilu, long before the former president passed away.
“They had divorced, and Aisha reverted to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu,” Kperogi wrote plainly.
The US-based scholar claimed that keen observers might have noticed that the former First Lady did not move to Daura when Buhari relocated there after leaving office in 2023.
“If you paid close attention, you would notice that Aisha didn’t go to Daura when he retired to the town after leaving office,” he said.
“She Was No Longer His Wife”
Kperogi also alleged that Aisha was unwilling to travel to London to care for Buhari when he fell ill after his presidency.
According to him, her reluctance was not mere hesitation but a reflection of a changed relationship status.
“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,” he wrote.
He argued that Buhari later relocated to Kaduna, where he lived a more secluded life, unaccompanied by Aisha.
No official statement from the Buhari or Aisha family has so far confirmed or denied this claim.
The presidency also remained silent on the issue, adding to the speculation and public curiosity.
“Buhari Asked Her to Seek Forgiveness” – Alleged Statement
Kperogi’s post was a response to quotes recently attributed to Aisha Buhari, which claimed that Buhari asked her to seek forgiveness from Nigerians on his behalf before he died.
Though he couldn’t verify the authenticity of that quote, Kperogi maintained his position that the couple had long parted ways.
Still, the alleged statement stirred mixed reactions online, especially among critics and loyalists of the late former president.
“In fact, when he fell ill… she reportedly hesitated because she was no longer his wife,” Kperogi insisted again in his post.
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