Jonathan: Media Twisted My Words on Buhari, Boko Haram

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has debunked reports suggesting that he accused late President Muhammadu Buhari of having ties with Boko Haram.

Jonathan, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, described the reports as a deliberate misrepresentation of his comments at the public presentation of a book written by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd).

He said at no point did he claim that Boko Haram nominated Buhari as their representative in peace talks with the Federal Government or that the former president was complicit in the insurgency.

According to him: “The attention of the Office of Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been drawn to misleading reports 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.”

Jonathan clarified that his remarks were only to highlight how Boko Haram, in its early years, exploited the names of respected Nigerians to sow confusion and division in the country.

He recalled that several individuals were falsely listed as possible mediators by different factions of the sect 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 confuse the public, exploit political divisions, and weaken trust in government,” the statement read.

The former president also questioned the logic of linking Buhari to Boko Haram, stressing: “If indeed Buhari was their choice negotiator, why did Boko Haram not end their terrorist campaign when he became president?”

Jonathan further emphasised that both himself and Buhari were targets of Boko Haram and that they shared a common goal of defeating terrorism and restoring peace.

He urged Nigerians to disregard sensational reports and focus on truth:
“Dr Jonathan recognises that President Muhammadu Buhari, like every patriotic Nigerian, stood firmly against terrorism. Both men remain united in their desire for peace, unity and stability in Nigeria.”