Former presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, has dismissed reports suggesting that late former President Muhammadu Buhari was ever nominated by Boko Haram leaders as a negotiator for the sect.
Speaking in reaction to recurring claims, Shehu clarified that neither the group’s founder, Mohammed Yusuf, nor his successor, Abubakar Shekau, at any point named Buhari as a representative in talks with the insurgents. He described the allegation as “false and misleading,” insisting that it had been recycled over the years without any factual basis.
According to Shehu, the misconception originated from political propaganda during Buhari’s early campaigns for the presidency and was later amplified by opponents seeking to question his stance on terrorism. He emphasized that the former president’s record in office demonstrated a clear commitment to combating Boko Haram and restoring security in the northeast.
The former presidential aide noted that while Boko Haram had in the past made attempts to reach out to various individuals and clerics for negotiations, Buhari’s name never featured on any official list, either before or during his administration.
Shehu urged Nigerians to treat such reports with caution, warning that the spread of unverified claims could distort public understanding of the fight against insurgency.
The statement comes amid ongoing debates about the legacy of Buhari’s administration in handling security challenges, particularly the prolonged battle against Boko Haram and its splinter factions.
