Former President Goodluck Jonathan has debunked reports claiming he accused the late President Muhammadu Buhari of having links to Boko Haram, describing such claims as false and misleading.
In a statement on Saturday, Jonathan’s media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, clarified that the former president never alleged, implied, or suggested that Buhari had any association with the terrorist group.
The clarification follows public reactions to Jonathan’s remarks at the launch of Scars, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, where he recounted how Boko Haram once listed Buhari among those they wanted to represent them in proposed peace talks with the government.
Jonathan, who led Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, explained that the reference was part of a historical account showing the manipulative strategies employed by Boko Haram at the time. He stressed that the group often used the names of respected figures to create confusion and division within the country.
Eze’s statement read, “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 form. His comments were meant to illustrate the deviousness and manipulative strategies employed by Boko Haram in their early years.”
He added that the former president’s remarks were “grossly misrepresented,” noting that Jonathan’s point was that Boko Haram frequently invoked prominent names without their consent as part of their deceptive tactics.
Jonathan further questioned, “if indeed Buhari was their choice negotiator, why didn’t Boko Haram expeditiously bring their evil terrorist agenda to an end when the retired General became president?”
Eze emphasized that Jonathan recognized Buhari’s stance against terrorism, noting that the former president was also a target of Boko Haram’s violence and shared Jonathan’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in Nigeria.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the distorted reports, reaffirming Jonathan’s continued commitment to peace, unity, and the strengthening of democracy.
What you should know
The controversy stems from Goodluck Jonathan’s remarks during the launch of Scars by Lucky Irabor, which some media outlets misinterpreted as linking Buhari to Boko Haram.
Jonathan has since clarified that his comments were historical and aimed at exposing Boko Haram’s deceptive tactics, not implicating the late president.
