The former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has dismissed claims by former President Goodluck Jonathan that his principal was once nominated by Boko Haram to negotiate with the Nigerian government.
Shehu noted in a statement titled “Boko Haram did not nominate Buhari as their mediator” on Friday, that the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, on several occasions threatened Buhari.
The media had on Thursday reported that Jonathan made a startling revelation about Boko Haram’s willingness to negotiate with the Nigerian government.
Speaking at the public presentation of a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.), Jonathan had disclosed that the insurgent group had once nominated former President Muhammadu Buhari to represent them in peace talks with the government during his administration.
Jonathan had stated, “One of the committees we set up then, the Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government.
“So I was feeling that, oh, if they nominated Buhari to represent them and have a discussion with the government committee, 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.”
In response, Shehu insisted Jonathan was “making a false start” ahead of a possible 2027 presidential bid.
He stated, “Muhammed Yusuf or Abubakar Shekau, the deceased leaders of the Boko Haram terrorist group, never nominated Muhammadu Buhari for any such role.
“In fact, Shekau routinely denounced and threatened Buhari, and their ideologies were in direct opposition,” he said, recalling that Buhari narrowly survived a 2014 Boko Haram bomb attack in Kaduna which left his aides injured.
Shehu explained that the controversy stemmed from a 2012 press conference in Maiduguri by a faction led by Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, who listed Buhari and several northern leaders as possible mediators.
“Abdulaziz was roundly condemned by the leaders of Boko Haram, who claimed that he had ‘no mandate of their leader, Imam Abubakar Shekau,’” he clarified.
Shehu added, “To be president in 2027, Goodluck Jonathan should look for another story to tell Nigerians… To win in 2027, Dr. Jonathan should look for a better story to tell Nigerians.”
The book presentation, which was attended by several high-profile government officials, provided a platform for Jonathan to share his insights on the Boko Haram insurgency.
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