The Office of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has debunked reports suggesting that he accused the late former President Muhammadu Buhari of being complicit in the Boko Haram crisis, calling such claims “gross misrepresentation.”

 

The clarification was issued in a statement signed by Jonathan’s media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, following widespread media reports that misinterpreted the former president’s comments at the recent public presentation of Scars, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.), in Abuja.

 

During his remarks at the event, Jonathan recalled a past episode in which Boko Haram insurgents named Buhari as their preferred negotiator during peace talks initiated by his administration. However, Eze stressed that Jonathan never implied that Buhari had links to Boko Haram or supported their activities.

 

“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 the statement, Jonathan’s reference was to a well-documented incident in which individuals claiming to represent Boko Haram falsely named prominent Nigerians, including Buhari, as negotiators—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,” Eze explained.

 

Jonathan had said at the book launch:

 

“One of the committees we set up then, the Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government. So I was feeling that, oh, if they nominated Buhari to represent them and had a discussion with the government committee, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them and they would have handed over their guns. But it was still there till today.”

 

Eze emphasized that Jonathan’s comments were meant to highlight the complexities of dealing with terrorism and not to indict his successor. He further stated:

 

“The former president’s position was that 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?”

 

The Office of the Former President reiterated Jonathan’s recognition of Buhari’s firm stance against terrorism, noting that both leaders shared a common goal of restoring peace and security to Nigeria during their respective tenures.

 

“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 distortion of facts for political or sensational purposes.”

 

The statement urged the public and the media to exercise caution in reporting sensitive national security issues and to avoid twisting facts that could inflame tensions or mislead the public.