October 4, 2025-Published by Cyril

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has firmly set the record straight, denying reports that he accused the late former President Muhammadu Buhari of having any link with Boko Haram.

The clarification came after several media outlets misrepresented Jonathan’s remarks made during the public presentation of a book written by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd). According to Jonathan, his statements were completely taken out of context and twisted to create a false narrative.

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In a statement signed by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, the former president described the viral claims as “misleading, distorted, and malicious.”

• “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,” 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 that he supported the group in any form.”

Jonathan explained that his remarks were meant to shed light on the deceptive and manipulative strategies used by Boko Haram during the height of their insurgency. He stated that the terrorist group often invoked the names of respected Nigerians without their consent in a bid to create confusion and gain false legitimacy.

• “Dr. Jonathan’s remarks, made in the course of a broader discussion on Nigeria’s security challenges, were meant to illustrate the manipulative tactics employed by Boko Haram in their early years,” Eze added. “His reference was to a well-documented episode when various individuals and factions falsely claimed to represent the group and even named prominent Nigerians as possible mediators — without their knowledge or consent.”

Jonathan emphasized that the point he intended to make was about Boko Haram’s deceitful methods, not an accusation against Buhari or any other individual.

• “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. His comments were therefore an illustration of the group’s duplicity, not an accusation against the late former president or anyone else,” the statement clarified.

Jonathan also questioned the logic behind the claims, asking why the terrorist group did not end its operations when Buhari eventually became president if there was truly any connection between them.

• “The former president’s position was that if indeed Buhari was their choice negotiator, why didn’t Boko Haram immediately end their evil terrorist agenda when the retired General became president?” he queried.

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Reaffirming his respect for Buhari, Jonathan noted that both of them were targets of Boko Haram at different times and shared a mutual commitment to the fight against terrorism.

• “For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Jonathan recognises that President Muhammadu Buhari, like every patriotic Nigerian, stood firmly against terrorism and was himself a target of Boko Haram violence. Both men, during their respective tenures, shared a common goal — to restore peace and stability to Nigeria.”

Concluding his statement, Jonathan urged the public to ignore the false media narratives and focus on unity and truth, stressing that the progress of Nigeria depends on honest dialogue, not sensationalism or distortion.

“The Office of the Former President therefore urges the public to disregard any misinterpretation of his remarks. 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.”

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