.As Farooq Kperogi apologizes to Aisha over divorce claim
The family of the late President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President, Kashim Shettima and other eminent Nigerians who participated in Buhari’s burial and prayers.
The family also expressed gratitude to the King of England, King Charles 111, the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres and other foreign leaders for identifying with the family during the moment of grief.
Former President Buhari had passed on Sunday July 13 at a London hospital at the age of 82. He has been buried in his hometown in Daura, Katsina State on 15th July.
In a statement signed by Buhari’s former spokesman, Garba Shehu, he disclosed that the most senior member of the Buhari family, the family of the late President, Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Mamman Daura has, on behalf of the family expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and his wife, the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu for their role and that of Government of the Federation before, and after the passing of the former president.
“It is truly comforting to receive such support from the President and the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who went to the United Kingdom, and here in Daura, for the days he and the ministers during the mourning period. These have instilled confidence in all of us to face this loss with courage.
“We are deeply grateful to the President on his thoughtful gestures in declaring a public holiday and renaming the University of Maiduguri after Buhari.
“Our gratitude also goes to leaders of the various countries around the globe who either came in person, sent representatives, sent letters, or placed personal telephone calls to commiserate with us. Of special note were those of the King of England, King Charles 111, the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, the Chairman of the African Union, and that of the Committee of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS countries, and our former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.
“Muhammadu Buhari’s demise is an irreparable loss and its pain is beyond words, but the general reaction and kind expressions give us the strength to cope with the loss of our esteemed family member and former leader of the country.
“The family is equally grateful to Vice President Kashim Shettima in his own person and his wife, and to all state governors, especially those of Katsina, the host governor Dr Dikko Umar Radda; Professor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State and all those who visited us in the UK and Daura from Adamawa, Kano,Kwara, Lagos, Kaduna, Imo, Nassarawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi as well as the several former governors, including Dr Peter Obi for their compassionate words of condolence. Your empathy has touched our hearts deeply, and we are truly grateful for your kindness.
“We express our deep appreciations to former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Architect Namadi Sambo, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as well as to the President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honorable Tajuddeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and the other leaders and members of the National and State Assemblies.
“We do sincerely thank the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume and his predecessor in office, Boss Mustapha, the current Chief of Staff, Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila and his predecessor, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former and serving members of the cabinet in both administrations for their activities in these events and their comforting words.
“We are very pleased with the amazing gestures of our traditional leaders, notably the Sultan of Sokoto, the Shehu of Borno, the Emir of Gwandu and the host emirs of Katsina and Daura, as well as the various emirs and chiefs from all over Nigeria and the neighboring countries who came in person or sent representatives.
“We have been honored by the large turnout of religious leaders, Islamic, Christian and of other faiths, community leaders, women, youth and politicians of various leanings whose surge in Daura was both challenging and reassuring.
The family in Daura is also thanking past and serving security and intelligence, police and military leaders, permanent secretaries, and the rank and file civil servants, community groups and associations, civil society, and the media of communications.
“The expresses it appreciation to the nation’s business leaders who visited Daura in the persons of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Isyaka Rabi’u, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, Kola Adesina and Nasiru Danu.
“We also take this opportunity to thank the entire citizens of this country and those of other nations represented by their missions in Nigeria.
“All of Nigeria came out in force to bury Buhari and condole with us and pray for him. We are deeply grateful for the visits, the condolence messages, and prayers on him. We are thankful to all.
“We respect your prayers as I and the family go through this period. May the Almighty Allah bless and reward you all.”
Meanwhile, a popular public analyst, Farooq Kperogi who is based in US, has apologized to the widow of the late President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, saying it was a cruelest lapses of judgement ever committed in his life to have claimed that the former First Lady had divorced her husband.
In a release titled, “Apology to Aisha Buhari, Kperogi stated that a source had told him about the information, which he claimed was credible.
However in his apology, Kperogi wrote: “Although I absolutely should have foreseen it, I honestly didn’t anticipate the profoundly painful consequences that my July 16 Facebook update titled “Aisha Buhari, Divorce, and Forgiveness Claim” would have on former First Lady Mrs. Aisha Buhari and people closest to her.
“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.
“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.
“On the other side, Alhaji Sani Zorro, former SSA to the First Lady on Public Affairs, whom I hold in the highest esteem, has reached out to question the accuracy of my claims.
“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. After all, as the late MKO Abiola memorably said, no one can give you a haircut in your absence.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
