Former President Goodluck Jonathan has clarified his recent statement that Boko Haram once nominated then-General Muhammadu Buhari to lead peace talks with the Federal Government, saying the remark was misinterpreted and not meant to suggest that Buhari had ties with the insurgent group.
Jonathan made the clarification on Saturday through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Eze, following a denial issued by Garba Shehu, former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Buhari.
The controversy began after Jonathan, while speaking at the public presentation of “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum”, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.), in Abuja, recalled that a committee set up during his administration was informed that Boko Haram had named Buhari among those they preferred to represent them in proposed negotiations.
“One of the committees we set up then, Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government,” Jonathan had said at the event attended by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other dignitaries.
He further explained that he had expected the insurgents to surrender their arms when Buhari became president since they had earlier identified him as a potential mediator.
However, in a swift reaction, Garba Shehu dismissed the statement, describing it as “deceptive” and “false.”
Responding to Shehu’s denial, Jonathan’s media aide said his principal’s comment was taken out of context and had no malicious intent.
“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 that he supported the group in any form,” Eze stated.
He explained that Jonathan’s remarks were aimed at illustrating the manipulative and deceitful tactics used by Boko Haram in its early years.
“The point Dr Jonathan sought to make was that Boko Haram, in its characteristic deceit, often invoked the names of respected public figures to sow confusion, exploit political divisions, and undermine public confidence in government,” the statement added.
Jonathan also argued that if Boko Haram had genuinely seen Buhari as their preferred negotiator, they would have ended their violent campaign when he assumed office.
He maintained that both he and Buhari shared a common commitment to restoring peace and stability in Nigeria during their respective tenures.
