Former President Goodluck Jonathan claimed Boko Haram in Nigeria once nominated Muhammadu Buhari to lead peace talks with the Federal Government.
Jonathan claimed this at General Irabor’s book launch, Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, in Abuja. He said his government formed committees to engage Boko Haram, who nominated Buhari to lead their negotiation team.
Jonathan added, “I felt that if they nominated Buhari to represent them and have discussions with the government, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them and they would have handed over their guns. But it was still there till today.”
He described the 2014 Chibok abduction as “a scar I will die with” and urged the current government to adopt carrot-and-stick strategies. Jonathan blamed the persistence of Boko Haram in Nigeria on external influence and advanced weapons.
Garba Shehu, Buhari’s former spokesperson, dismissed the claim as false and politically driven. He said, “Boko Haram did not nominate Buhari as their mediator. To be president in 2027, Goodluck Jonathan should look for another story to tell Nigerians.”
Shehu stressed that Boko Haram leaders never supported Buhari, recalling how Abubakar Shekau often threatened him. He also cited a 2014 bomb attack in Kaduna that Buhari narrowly survived, proving the sect targeted him instead.
He added that Buhari’s campaign focused on defeating Boko Haram in Nigeria and insisted reports linking him to the insurgents were politically motivated.
