Nigerian-American professor and political commentator, Farooq Kperogi, has claimed that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, had secretly divorced before his death.
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London, United Kingdom.
His remains were conveyed to Nigeria on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, by Vice President Shettima and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, aboard a Nigerian Air Force flight-FGT 001, which touched ground at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, around 2 pm.
Among those who accompanied Buhari’s remains home were his widow, Aisha, and other family members.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside Shettima, Buhari’s deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, the president of Guinea Bissau, the Prime Minister of Niger, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, governors, and other dignitaries, received the former president’s casket at the airport.
Buhari’s remains were lowered into the grave at 5:50 pm amidst tears and prayers by his immediate family members and mourners.
Amid mourning, Kperogi, in a post made via his Facebook page, claimed Buhari and Aisha had divorced before his death.
According to him, the couple had parted ways long before Buhari’s death, with Aisha reportedly reverting to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu.
“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, but 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,” he said.
Kperogi noted that she had been absent from Daura when Buhari retired there after leaving office, and also pointed out that the former First Lady was not living with the former president when he relocated to Kaduna.
He claimed that even when Buhari fell gravely ill in London, Aisha initially hesitated to travel to be with him, reportedly because she no longer considered herself his wife.
She only travelled to London days before his death after, according to him, considerable persuasion.
He then questioned the former first lady’s role at her late husband’s burial, suggesting that her presence and perceived duties as a widow were questionable given their alleged separation.
“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.
“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.
“Even now, during this period of mourning, she seems understandably conflicted about her role.
“So, I’m genuinely curious to know when and where Buhari told her to beg Nigerians for forgiveness. Where did she even say this?”
Buhari married Aisha in 1989, and their marriage produced five children, namely Zahra, Yusuf, Halima, Amina, and Aisha.
The former military head of state also had five children from a previous marriage to Safinatu Yusuf
