By Najib Sani, Gombe
A US-based Nigerian professor of Mass Communication, Farooq Kperogi, has publicly apologised to former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, for a Facebook post claiming she was divorced from her late husband, late President Muhammadu Buhari, before he died.
He made the claim on his Facebook page last week alleging that Aisha and Buhari were divorced long ago and ‘that was why the former Firstlady did not go to the London clinic to take care of Buhari when he was sick until some people persuaded her to do go’.
However, Kperogi on Sunday in another post apologised to Aisha saying he erred by posting such story.
He described the post as “one of the worst and cruelest lapses of judgement” he has ever committed.
In his apology statement, Kperogi acknowledged that he should not have shared the information publicly, despite his source insisting it was accurate.
He expressed regret for the hurt caused, stating that the truth of the information is now less significant than the pain it has brought to Mrs Buhari and those close to her.
The communication professor admitted that sharing the information was an error on his part, violating moral and ethical principles.
He also acknowledged Mrs Buhari’s authority to define the status of her marriage, respecting her truth as supreme.
Furthermore, Kperogi maintained that he acted without malice or ulterior motives, apologising for the harm caused nonetheless.
The apology follows the intervention of Sani Zorro, former Special Assistant to the First Lady on Public Affairs, questioning the accuracy of Kperogi’s claims.
“It is 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.
“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.
“I offer my heartfelt and unreserved apology for the needless and deeply regrettable hurt I have caused. I am truly sorrry”, part of his post reads.
