Former President Goodluck Jonathan has debunked reports claiming he linked the late former President Muhammadu Buhari with the Boko Haram insurgency, describing the insinuation as a gross misrepresentation of his remarks.
Jonathan, in a statement by his spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, on Saturday, said his comments at the book launch of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.), were twisted by sections of the media to create a false impression.
He clarified that at no point did he allege or insinuate that Buhari had ties with Boko Haram or gave support to the group, insisting that both leaders shared a common commitment to peace during their tenures.
The statement read partly, *“The attention of the Office of Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been drawn to misleading reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that Dr Jonathan alleged that Boko Haram nominated the late President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to represent them in dialogue with the Federal Government, and therefore this made him somehow complicit in the Boko Haram crisis.
“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 that he supported the group in any form.”*
Jonathan explained that his comments were only meant to illustrate how Boko Haram often exploited the names of prominent Nigerians without their consent to sow confusion and undermine public confidence.
He noted that the terrorist group, in its early years, deceitfully invoked the names of respected figures as supposed negotiators, a ploy he described as part of its manipulative strategies.
The former president further questioned the logic behind suggestions that Buhari was sympathetic to Boko Haram, stressing: “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?”
Jonathan also emphasised that Buhari, like himself, was a victim of Boko Haram attacks and stood firmly against terrorism.
He urged the public to disregard misrepresentations of his remarks, warning against the distortion of facts for political or sensational purposes.
“Dr Jonathan remains committed to peace, unity, and the strengthening of democratic values in Nigeria. He believes that the nation’s progress depends on a truthful understanding of its challenges, not on the twisting of facts,” the statement concluded.
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