Goodluck Jonathan Denies Accusing Late Buhari Of Boko Haram Links, Says Comments Misrepresented

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied suggesting that the late President Muhammadu Buhari had any ties to Boko Haram, insisting that his comments were misrepresented.

In a statement on Saturday, issued by his media aide Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said he never alleged, hinted, or implied that Buhari supported or was connected to the terrorist group.

The clarification follows Jonathan’s remarks on Friday at the launch of Scars, a book by former Chief of Defence Staff Lucky Irabor. Jonathan had recounted that Boko Haram once listed Buhari among individuals they wanted to act as mediators in peace talks with the government.

Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, explained that the insurgents’ mention of Buhari occurred after his administration had established committees to engage with the group.

Former presidential spokesman Garba Shehu dismissed Jonathan’s account as “false and politically motivated.”

Eze stressed that Jonathan’s comments were intended to highlight Boko Haram’s deceptive strategies rather than implicate Buhari. “Boko Haram often invoked the names of respected public figures without their knowledge to create confusion, exploit divisions, and undermine public confidence in government,” the statement said.

Jonathan’s remarks, Eze added, were meant to illustrate the insurgents’ duplicity. He noted that if Buhari had truly been their chosen negotiator, Boko Haram’s attacks would not have persisted after he became president.

The statement concluded by reaffirming Jonathan’s respect for Buhari’s commitment to fighting terrorism and said that both leaders shared a common goal of restoring peace and stability to Nigeria. Eze urged the public to disregard distorted reports, emphasizing that Jonathan remains committed to peace, unity, and strengthening democracy.