Some Nigerians have knocked Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former president Muhammadu Buhari, for denying that his principal was named by Boko Haram to lead negotiations during the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan.
This is as Jonathan clarified that his statement was not meant to portray Buhari as a sympathiser of terrorists.
Jonathan had made the initial remark at the public presentation of a book titled ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum.’
The book, unveiled in Abuja on Friday, was authored by the former Chief of Defence, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).
“One of the committees we set up then, Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government,” Jonathan had said.
Jonathan, at the event, which was graced by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said he thought the insurgents would have easily surrendered their arms when Buhari became president, as he had been nominated as a mediator three years earlier.
Buhari’s media aide had refuted the claim that Buhari was nominated by the insurgents, describing it as deceptive.
Shehu took to social media and criticised the ex-president, saying Buhari was never nominated by Boko Haram for such a role.
Reacting to Buhari’s spokesperson’s statement, Jonathan, in a statement on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Eze, said he never implied that Buhari had any connection with the terrorist group.
He explained that his comments were part of a broader reflection on Nigeria’s security challenges.
“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,” he said.
He said the reference to Buhari was intended to illustrate the manipulative and deceitful tactics used by the terrorist group in its 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,” the statement added.
Jonathan argued that if Boko Haram had genuinely seen Buhari as their preferred negotiator, they would have ended their violent campaign when he became President.
He noted that both Jonathan and Buhari shared a common commitment to restoring peace and stability during their respective tenures.
Also, some Nigerians on social media said Jonathan’s claim was public knowledge that could not be erased by Shehu.
On Facebook, one Daniel Jonah wrote, “GEJ said your oga was nominated, not mediated (sic). He was picked for the process.”
“Of course they did,” Adam Nasara said. “They mentioned him to be their mediator. It wasn’t something hidden.”
“He did not say he mediated. He said they nominated him to represent them,” Umoh Mfon added.
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