Aisha Buhari Free to Remarry; Divorce from Late President Finalized Before His Death – Farooq Kperogi
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A public affairs analyst and U.S.-based journalism professor, Farooq Kperogi, has claimed that former Nigerian First Lady, Aisha Buhari, was divorced from late President Muhammadu Buhari before his death.
TJ News Nigeria reports that Kperogi made the claim in a Facebook post shared on his verified page on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, while reacting to widely circulated statements attributed to Aisha Buhari in the wake of her husband’s passing.
According to Kperogi, the couple had separated long before Buhari’s death and that Aisha had reverted to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu, prior to his final days.
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“They Were No Longer Married” – Kperogi
Addressing unconfirmed reports suggesting that Aisha Buhari said her late husband had asked her to seek forgiveness from Nigerians on his behalf, Kperogi wrote:
“I can’t confirm the authenticity of that claim, but what I do know is that before Buhari’s death, he and Aisha were no longer married.”
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He added that the former First Lady had reverted to her maiden name, an indication that the marriage had ended before Buhari’s death.
“They had divorced, and Aisha reverted to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu,” he stated.
Evidence of Separation? Kperogi’s Observations
Kperogi, who teaches journalism at Kennesaw State University, backed his claims with a series of observations, suggesting a growing public awareness of the First Couple’s estranged relationship.
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“If you paid close attention, you would notice that Aisha didn’t go to Daura when he retired there after leaving office. Buhari was also alone when he later relocated to Kaduna,” he noted.
He further claimed that during Buhari’s final illness, Aisha was reportedly hesitant to visit him in London due to the alleged dissolution of their marriage.
“She eventually went in the last few days before he died, but only after intense persuasion,” he said.
“Even now, during this period of mourning, she seems understandably conflicted about her role.”
Skepticism Over Forgiveness Claim
Kperogi also questioned the authenticity of the quote attributed to Aisha Buhari, in which she purportedly claimed that Buhari asked her to beg Nigerians for forgiveness on his behalf.
“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.
TJ News Nigeria learnt that the alleged statement sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, with many questioning whether the former First Lady had the moral or political authority to speak on behalf of her late husband.
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Aisha Buhari Attended Burial in Daura
Despite Kperogi’s claims of separation, Aisha Buhari was present at the burial of the late president in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, July 15. She was visibly emotional and was seen receiving comfort from dignitaries, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
President Buhari died at the age of 82, following a brief illness. He was buried in accordance with Islamic rites in his hometown of Daura.
Background: Timeline of Marital Strain
According to publicly available records, Aisha Buhari married Muhammadu Buhari on December 2, 1989, and they had five children together. However, signs of strain in the relationship became public over time.
In September 2019, SaharaReporters, citing Daily Trust, reported that Aisha had been away from Nigeria for over two months amid tensions within the Presidential Villa.
She was said to have left for Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj but did not return with other pilgrims. Credible sources at the time claimed she later proceeded to London and stayed there for an extended period, raising further questions about her role and standing at the time.
No Official Confirmation from the Family
As of press time, there has been no official statement from the Buhari family or the former First Lady addressing the divorce claim. Similarly, government officials and close aides have not publicly refuted or confirmed Kperogi’s assertions.
Who Is Farooq Kperogi?
Farooq Kperogi is a respected public intellectual and media scholar. A consistent critic of political developments in Nigeria, he is known for his columns and social media commentary on governance, democracy, and civil liberties.
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