Former President Goodluck Jonathan has debunked reports claiming he accused the late former President Muhammadu Buhari of having ties with Boko Haram, clarifying that his recent remarks were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan described the media reports as “misleading,” stressing that he never suggested or implied that Buhari had any connection with the insurgent group.
The clarification followed backlash that trailed Jonathan’s comments at the public presentation of “Scars,” a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.), held on Friday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the former president’s remarks were meant to highlight the deceitful tactics employed by Boko Haram in its early years, not to indict or associate any individual with the group’s activities.
“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,” the statement read.
Jonathan explained that his reference was to a well-documented episode during which Boko Haram falsely claimed to have nominated prominent Nigerians, including Buhari, to represent them in peace talks with the Federal Government — without the individuals’ 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 clarified.
The former president further noted that his rhetorical question during the event — asking why Boko Haram did not end its attacks when Buhari became president — was to underscore the absurdity of the group’s earlier claims, not to imply complicity.
Jonathan also acknowledged Buhari’s personal sacrifices and opposition to terrorism, noting that both men, during their respective tenures, shared a common goal of restoring peace and stability to Nigeria.
“Dr. Jonathan recognizes that President Muhammadu Buhari, like every patriotic Nigerian, stood firmly against terrorism and was himself a target of Boko Haram violence,” the statement added.
The Office of the Former President therefore urged the public to disregard any distorted reports, emphasizing that 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 concluded.