Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed as false and misleading reports suggesting he accused the late President Muhammadu Buhari of having ties to Boko Haram.
In a statement on Saturday, Jonathan’s media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, said the former president’s remarks at the public presentation of a book by retired Defence Chief, General Lucky Irabor, were deliberately twisted by some sections of the press.
Jonathan clarified that he was referring to a documented episode in which Boko Haram, in its early years, falsely named respected Nigerians as potential mediators—a ploy meant to cause confusion and weaken trust in government.
“At no point did Dr. Jonathan suggest, imply, or insinuate that President Buhari had any connection with Boko Haram or that he supported the group,” the statement read.
He argued that if Buhari had truly been the sect’s “chosen mediator,” the insurgency should have ended when he became president in 2015. Instead, both men, Jonathan said, stood firmly against terrorism and were even direct targets of Boko Haram attacks.
The clarification, Jonathan stressed, is necessary to counter misinformation that distorts history and undermines national unity. He urged Nigerians to reject politically motivated misinterpretations, warning that such falsehoods only serve to divide the country and distract from the real fight against terrorism.
Jonathan reaffirmed his commitment to peace, unity, and democratic values, saying truth remains essential for Nigeria to overcome its security challenges.
