Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied ever saying that late former President Muhammadu Buhari had any connection with the Boko Haram insurgency.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said his comments at the public presentation of a book written by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), were misrepresented by some sections of the media.
“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 to represent them in dialogue with the Federal Government,” the statement read.
“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 supported the group in any form.”
Jonathan explained that his remarks were part of a broader discussion on Nigeria’s security challenges and were meant to highlight how Boko Haram deceitfully invoked the names of prominent Nigerians to create confusion and political division.
He further clarified that Buhari, like every patriotic Nigerian, opposed terrorism and was himself a target of Boko Haram attacks.
“The former President recognizes that President Muhammadu Buhari, like every patriotic Nigerian, stood firmly against terrorism and shared a common commitment to restoring peace and stability in Nigeria,” Eze noted.
Jonathan urged the public to disregard any misinterpretation of his remarks, reaffirming his commitment to peace, unity, and the strengthening of democratic values in the country.
