Former President Goodluck Jonathan, has denied claims that he accused the late President Muhammadu Buhari of having links to Boko Haram, insisting his comments were misrepresented.
In a statement released weekend by his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said reports suggesting he linked Buhari to the insurgent group were “false and misleading.”
The controversy followed Jonathan’s remarks at the public presentation of Scars, a memoir by former Chief of Defence Staff Lucky Irabor. Jonathan had recalled that Boko Haram once listed Buhari among prominent Nigerians they wanted to negotiate with the federal government.
Garba Shehu, Buhari’s former spokesperson, quickly dismissed the comments as “false and politically motivated.”
But Jonathan’s office clarified that the former president never implied Buhari had any ties to Boko Haram. “We wish to make it abundantly clear that the former President’s comments were grossly misrepresented,” Eze said. “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.”
According to Eze, Jonathan was referencing a documented episode in which different individuals falsely claimed to represent Boko Haram and invoked the names of respected Nigerians as supposed mediators, often without their knowledge or consent.
“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,” he added.
Jonathan stressed that if Boko Haram had truly regarded Buhari as their negotiator, their violent campaign should have ended when Buhari assumed the presidency.
He emphasized that Buhari, like every Nigerian leader, opposed terrorism and was himself a target of Boko Haram attacks. Jonathan underscored that both men pursued peace and security in office.
Eze urged Nigerians to disregard the misinterpretations and reiterated Jonathan’s commitment to peace, unity, and strengthening democratic values.
