Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied reports suggesting he accused the late President Muhammadu Buhari of having ties to Boko Haram, describing the claims as deliberate misrepresentations of his remarks.

In a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan clarified that at no point did he imply Buhari had any connection with or support for the terrorist group.

“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,” the statement read.

According to him, his comments during a broader discussion on Nigeria’s security challenges referred to a period when Boko Haram deceitfully invoked the names of respected Nigerians, including Buhari, as potential mediators without their knowledge or consent.

Jonathan explained that the point he made was that Boko Haram often used such manipulative strategies to sow confusion and weaken public trust, not to accuse Buhari of involvement.

“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,” Eze added.

The former president urged the public to disregard any misinterpretation of his remarks, reaffirming his commitment to peace, unity, and the strengthening of Nigeria’s democracy.