Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied claims that he accused the late President Muhammadu Buhari of having links to Boko Haram, insisting his remarks were misrepresented
In a statement on Saturday from his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan clarified that he never suggested, implied, or hinted that Buhari supported or had any connection to the terrorist group.
The clarification comes after reactions to Jonathan’s comments on Friday at the launch of Scars, a book by former Chief of Defence Staff Lucky Irabor. Jonathan had recalled that Boko Haram once mentioned Buhari among individuals they wanted to act as mediators in peace talks with the government.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, explained that the insurgents’ mention of Buhari occurred after his administration had set up committees to engage in dialogue with the group.
However, Garba Shehu, a former presidential spokesman, dismissed Jonathan’s account as “false and politically motivated.”
Eze stressed that Jonathan’s remarks were intended to illustrate Boko Haram’s manipulative tactics, not to implicate Buhari.
“The attention of the Office of Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been drawn to misleading reports suggesting that Dr Jonathan alleged Boko Haram nominated the late President Muhammadu Buhari to represent them in dialogue with the Federal Government, implying complicity in the crisis,” the statement read.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that the former president’s comments were grossly misrepresented. At no time did Dr Jonathan suggest, imply, or insinuate that President Buhari had any connection with Boko Haram or supported the group in any form.
“His remarks, made in the course of discussing Nigeria’s security challenges, were meant to highlight Boko Haram’s deceit and manipulative strategies in their early years. Boko Haram often invoked the names of respected public figures without their knowledge to sow confusion, exploit divisions, and undermine public confidence in government.
“The point Dr Jonathan sought to make was that Boko Haram’s reference to prominent Nigerians was an illustration of their duplicity, not an accusation against the late president or any individual. If Buhari had truly been their chosen negotiator, why did the group not end their attacks when he assumed office?
“For the avoidance of doubt, Dr Jonathan recognises that President Buhari, like every patriotic Nigerian, opposed terrorism and was himself a target of Boko Haram violence. Both leaders, during their tenures, shared a commitment to restoring peace and stability in Nigeria.”
Eze urged Nigerians to disregard the distorted reports, emphasizing that Jonathan remains committed to peace, unity, and strengthening democracy in the country.
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