Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed reports suggesting he accused the late President Muhammadu Buhari of having ties to Boko Haram, describing the claims as misrepresentations of his remarks.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Ikechukwu Eze, his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Jonathan clarified that he never suggested or implied that Buhari had any connection with the terrorist group or endorsed it in any manner.
“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.
“Dr. Jonathan’s remarks, made in the course of a broader discussion on Nigeria’s security challenges, were meant to illustrate the deviousness and manipulative strategies employed by Boko Haram in their early years.
“His reference was to a well-documented episode when various individuals and factions falsely claimed to represent the terrorist group and purported to name prominent Nigerians as possible mediators, without those 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.
“His comments were therefore an illustration of the group’s duplicity, not an accusation against the late former president or any individual for that matter.
“The former president’s position was that if indeed Buhari was their choice negotiator, why didn’t Boko Haram expeditiously bring their evil terrorist agenda to an end when the retired General became president?
“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 commitment to restoring peace and stability to Nigeria.
“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.”
I knew Jonathan is not the type that could make such uncomplimentary remarks about Buhari. We know the supposed elderstatesmen who do that on regular basis, key among which is Obj – Baba Na-only-me-sabi-everything.
It’s yoruba APC that twisted what Jonathan said. They don’t want him to contest. They are afraid that he wld defeat agbado. U are going to see more propaganda n attacks in d coming days
THE GOODLUCK JONATHAN I KNOW CAN’T STOOP SO LOW TO HAVE MAĶE CLAIM. WHEN HE WILLINGLY GAVE BUHARI HIS SEAT AT ASO ROCK. A MAN WHOSE AMBITION IS NOT WORTH THE BLOOD OF ANY NIGERIAN.