ABUJA: Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed reports suggesting that he linked his successor, the late President Muhammadu Buhari, to the Boko Haram insurgency.
The clarification followed widespread media interpretations of Jonathan’s remarks at the launch of a book authored by former Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd.), which reportedly suggested that Buhari was once nominated by Boko Haram to negotiate on their behalf with the Federal Government.
In a statement issued on Friday by his spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan described the reports as grossly misleading and a distortion of his comments.
At no time did Dr. Jonathan suggest, imply, or insinuate that President Buhari had any connection with Boko Haram or that he supported the group in any way,” the statement read.
According to Jonathan, his reference was to a documented episode in the early years of the insurgency when different factions of Boko Haram deceitfully named prominent Nigerians including Buhari as possible mediators, often without their consent or knowledge.
He explained that the point of his illustration was to highlight the manipulative tactics of the terrorist group, which deliberately invoked the names of respected figures to exploit political divisions and confuse the public.
The point Dr. Jonathan sought to make was that Boko Haram, in its characteristic deceit, often invoked the names of public figures to sow confusion and undermine confidence in government, the statement continued.
Jonathan also questioned the logic of attempts to link Buhari with the group. If indeed Buhari was Boko Haram’s choice negotiator, why did the group not end its campaign of terror when he became president?
The former president stressed that both he and Buhari had been firm opponents of terrorism, noting that Buhari himself was a target of Boko Haram violence.
He added that during their respective administrations, both leaders shared a common resolve to restore peace and stability across Nigeria.
Concluding, Jonathan urged the public to disregard misinterpretations of his remarks and to avoid sensationalism on sensitive national security issues.
Dr. Jonathan remains committed to peace, unity, and the strengthening of democratic values. Nigeria’s progress depends on a truthful understanding of its challenges, not on the distortion of facts for political gain,” his office said.
