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Jonathan Denies Linking Buhari To Boko Haram
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He clarifies his comments were about Boko Haram’s deceitful tactics.
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Ex-President urges public to ignore misinterpretations of his speech.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has debunked claims that he implicated the late former President Muhammadu Buhari in his recent comments about Boko Haram activities in Nigeria.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a statement on Saturday, Jonathan clarified that reports suggesting he accused Buhari of being nominated by Boko Haram to represent them in peace talks with the Federal Government were misleading and taken out of context.
Jonathan’s clarification follows backlash that trailed his comments made on Friday in Abuja during the public presentation of Scars, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.).
According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan explained that his remarks were not aimed at accusing Buhari of complicity but rather highlighting how Boko Haram had used deceitful tactics to manipulate public perception.
He stated that the insurgents often invoked the names of respected public figures to create confusion, exploit political divisions, and weaken public trust in the government.
The statement read in part:
“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, thereby making him complicit in the insurgency.”
“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 further explained that his remarks were intended to illustrate the manipulative nature of Boko Haram in its early years, when different individuals and factions falsely claimed to represent the group and even named prominent Nigerians as supposed mediators without their consent.
He said, “If indeed Buhari was their choice negotiator, why didn’t Boko Haram bring their evil agenda to an end when the retired General became President?”
Jonathan maintained that both he and Buhari, during their respective administrations, demonstrated strong commitment to fighting terrorism and restoring peace to Nigeria.
The statement concluded by urging the public to disregard the misinterpretation of his comments, stressing that Jonathan remains committed to national unity, peace, and the deepening of democratic values in the country.
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