Garba Shehu refutes Boko Haram mediation claim, confirming Buhari was never chosen as negotiator or mediator by insurgents in any peace talks.
Garba Shehu, former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has categorically refuted claims by former President Goodluck Jonathan concerning a Boko Haram mediation claim, which suggested that Buhari was once nominated to lead negotiations between the insurgents and the Federal Government.
Shehu’s rebuttal underscores the ongoing political importance of security narratives in Nigeria, particularly as discussions around the 2027 elections intensify.
Jonathan had made the claim during the public presentation of Scars, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.).
According to Jonathan, Boko Haram insurgents had allegedly identified Buhari as their preferred mediator. He said,
“One of the committees we set up then, 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 described Jonathan’s statement as politically motivated and historically inaccurate.
He emphasized that both Muhammed Yusuf and Abubakar Shekau, the deceased leaders of Boko Haram, never nominated Buhari for any mediation role.
Shehu added that Shekau frequently denounced Buhari, noting that their ideological positions were completely opposed.
The former aide also recalled a 2014 Boko Haram bomb attack in Kaduna that Buhari narrowly survived, leaving several of his aides injured.
This attack, Shehu explained, clearly demonstrates the antagonistic relationship between the insurgent group and the former president, casting further doubt on the alleged Boko Haram mediation claim.
Shehu traced the origin of the controversy to a 2012 press conference in Maiduguri held by a faction led by Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz.
During the event, Abdulaziz mentioned Buhari and other northern leaders as potential mediators.
However, Shehu clarified that Abdulaziz’s faction had no official authority, and the mainstream leadership of Boko Haram, led by Shekau, publicly rejected the proposal. He stated,
“Abdulaziz had no mandate from Boko Haram’s leadership, and his statements were quickly dismissed by the insurgent group.”
At the time, Buhari himself denied any involvement. Shehu cited the then-CPC National Secretary, Buba Galadima, who confirmed that Buhari had not been contacted regarding the claim and had no knowledge of it. Galadima said,
“As at 10pm yesterday when I spoke with him, he said he has not even heard about it… since nobody has contacted him as a person, he would not speak to the press.”
The matter had already become politically sensitive ahead of the 2015 elections. Rotimi Fashekun, the late CPC publicity secretary, accused Jonathan’s PDP-led administration of exploiting the rumor. He stated,
“Without any equivocation, General Muhammadu Buhari has never been directly or indirectly connected with any insurrection or insurgency against Nigeria.
“He remains a patriot who continues to unify across ethno-religious boundaries within the Nigerian nation-space.”
Fashekun also suggested that the PDP bore some responsibility for the country’s insecurity, categorizing Boko Haram into three factions: the original sect, a criminal faction, and a “Political Boko Haram,” which he claimed represented the PDP-led government.
Shehu concluded his statement by urging Jonathan to focus on more credible narratives if he wishes to run for the 2027 presidency. He said,
“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.”
Political analysts observe that the resurfacing of the Boko Haram mediation claim highlights the enduring role of security issues in Nigerian politics.
Misinterpretations of historical events, such as the 2012 Maiduguri press conference, continue to shape political discourse.
Experts emphasize the need to verify such claims before publicizing them, particularly when tied to elections and national security narratives.
Furthermore, Boko Haram’s internal structure has historically been fragmented, with multiple factions sometimes issuing independent statements.
This complexity likely fueled confusion over the alleged mediation nomination, which mainstream insurgent leaders consistently denied.
In conclusion, the Boko Haram mediation claim has been thoroughly debunked by Garba Shehu, supported by historical events, official statements, and security incidents.
As Nigeria moves closer to future elections, clarity and verification of such claims will remain crucial in shaping voter perceptions and political legitimacy.
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