Bashir Ahmad Slams Kperogi: Hiding Behind Apology Over Aisha Buhari Is Cowardice

Bashir Ahmad, former Senior Special Assistant on New Media to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has criticized Farooq Kperogi’s apology to former First Lady Aisha Buhari, calling it an act of cowardice disguised as remorse.

Kperogi had earlier issued an apology after alleging that Aisha Buhari had reverted to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu, and was no longer married to the late President before his death. He admitted the claim was inappropriate for public discourse and expressed regret for any distress it may have caused.

However, in a Facebook post, Ahmad condemned both the timing and nature of Kperogi’s retraction, branding it a betrayal of journalistic principles.

“Farooq Kperogi’s reckless and ill-timed remarks about the private life of Her Excellency Aisha Buhari—a grieving widow—represent a shameful failure of the profession he teaches,” Ahmad wrote. “You can’t be an instructor of journalism and yet peddle speculative narratives.”

He continued, “To rely on unverified claims, acknowledge they weren’t meant for public consumption, and then attempt to shield yourself with an apology after the damage is done—that’s not courage. That’s cowardice wrapped in contrition.”

Ahmad concluded by stating that Kperogi violated the three pillars of journalism: truth, accountability, and respect. “And on all three fronts, he failed.”