Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has disclosed that Boko Haram insurgents once nominated former President Muhammadu Buhari to represent them in peace negotiations with the federal government during his administration’s efforts to end the insurgency through dialogue.
Jonathan made the revelation on Friday at the public presentation of SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and The Boko Haram Conundrum, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. He recalled that his government established several committees to explore non-combatant approaches to resolving the crisis, and during one of such processes, the insurgents proposed Buhari as their preferred negotiator.
Reflecting on his time in office, Jonathan described the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014 as a permanent scar on his administration. “One of the major scars on my government is the scar of the Chibok girls. It is a scar that will die with me,” he said, adding that he hoped the group’s leaders would one day document their story to give Nigerians a clearer understanding of their motivations.
Jonathan acknowledged that, despite his administration’s efforts, including committees and multiple peace initiatives, Boko Haram persisted as a far more complex challenge than the militancy in the Niger Delta. He stressed that while he had hoped Buhari’s eventual presidency would secure a quick resolution, the insurgency remains unresolved.
The former president also urged the current government to consider a combined strategy of incentives and force in addressing terrorism. He questioned the origins of the group’s sophisticated weapons, pointing to likely external involvement. “Where are these guns and sophisticated weapons coming from? You begin to see that external hands are also involved,” he stated.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, Defence Minister Mohammed Abubakar Badaru praised Irabor’s book, describing it as a work that not only records history but also offers guidance and a roadmap for future security policies. Dignitaries at the event included the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III; Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa; former National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno; and former service chiefs.
