Nigerian journalism professor and public affairs commentator, Farooq Kperogi, has publicly apologized to former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, after sparking controversy with a recent claim suggesting she had separated from the late President Muhammadu Buhari prior to his passing.
In a detailed statement titled “Apology to Aisha Buhari” released on Saturday, Kperogi acknowledged that his Facebook post dated July 16, which bore the headline “Aisha Buhari, Divorce, and Forgiveness Claim”, was inappropriate and deeply upsetting to the former First Lady and those close to her.
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“Although I absolutely should have foreseen it, I honestly didn’t anticipate the profoundly painful consequences that my July 16 Facebook update… would have on former First Lady Mrs. Aisha Buhari and people closest to her,” Mr Kperogi wrote.
“It’s one of the worst and cruelest lapses of judgement I have ever committed in my life, and it has been a source of unfathomable personal anguish for me these past few days.”
He explained that his earlier comments were based on information from a highly trusted individual, whose credibility he still upholds, but who had not intended for the details to be made public.
“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, as not every well-sourced information is for public consumption,” he explained.
Kperogi also shared that he had been contacted by Sani Zorro, former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the First Lady, who challenged the veracity of his assertions and communicated Mrs. Buhari’s own clarification — that her marital union with the late President remained intact until his demise.
“I will not contest the particulars and veracity of the information with Alhaji Sani who conveyed the former First Lady’s position that her marriage was intact,” he said.
“After all, as the late MKO Abiola memorably said, no one can give you a haircut in your absence.”
Acknowledging Mrs. Buhari’s exclusive right to define the status of her relationship, Kperogi affirmed her position as the definitive voice on the matter.
“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, whatever other facts may exist,” he wrote.
Despite continuing to trust the authenticity of his source, Kperogi admitted that the pain caused by his disclosure far outweighed any journalistic value the information may have held.
“Moreover, the truth of this information is now far less significant than the hurt my disclosure of it has caused. I shouldn’t have shared it publicly. Period. Doing so violated every moral and ethical principle I cherish and uphold. But it shows I am only human, an imperfect human.”
He clarified that his actions were not driven by political motivation or personal bias. “I realize it might be impossible for many to believe (except those who truly know me) that I acted without malice, ulterior motives, or external influence. But I sincerely did not intend to harm Mrs. Buhari or execute any personal vendetta.”
Concluding the statement, Kperogi extended a direct and heartfelt apology to Mrs. Buhari for the distress caused.
“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,” he wrote.
The apology comes after a wave of public criticism and debate over the original post, with many calling it speculative and lacking sensitivity. By retracting the post and issuing a sincere apology, Kperogi appears to be taking steps toward reconciliation and accountability.
