Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that during the peak of Boko Haram‘s insurgency, the militant group selected Muhammadu Buhari-who later succeeded him as president-to act as their representative in peace talks with the Federal Government.
Jonathan shared this insight on Friday at the public launch of *Scars*, the memoir of retired General Lucky Irabor, former Chief of Defence Staff, held in Abuja.
He explained that his administration formed several committees aimed at initiating dialogue with Boko Haram. In one notable instance, the insurgents specifically requested Buhari, then a leading opposition figure, to serve as their spokesperson in negotiations with government officials.
This revelation initially led Jonathan to believe that Buhari’s presidency, beginning in 2015, would facilitate a smoother resolution to the conflict. However, he acknowledged that the insurgency has persisted, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the crisis.
“One of the committees we established was informed that Boko Haram had chosen Buhari to lead their negotiation team,” Jonathan recounted. “I assumed that with such trust placed in him, it would be easier for him to engage them once he took office. Yet, the conflict continues unabated.”
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Looking back on the enduring security threat, Jonathan stressed that the Boko Haram insurgency is far more complex than commonly understood. He noted that the violence began in 2009 during his tenure as vice president and intensified throughout his presidency.
“I expected that General Buhari, given his mandate, would swiftly bring an end to the insurgency. Unfortunately, Boko Haram remains a significant challenge. The reality is far more intricate than a single storyline can capture,” he remarked.
Jonathan called for a reassessment of Nigeria’s approach to counterinsurgency, emphasizing the importance of military records and firsthand accounts in unraveling the group’s ideology and long-term effects.
“I commend General Irabor for chronicling his experiences. Such documentation is crucial for constructing a comprehensive understanding. I also urge other military personnel involved in the fight to share their stories, enabling Nigerians to fully comprehend the true nature of Boko Haram,” he concluded.