Ex-President Jonathan reveals Boko Haram once chose Buhari as their negotiator

‎Ex-President Goodluck 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.
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‎Jonathan made this revelation on Friday in Abuja at the public presentation of Scars, a book by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.). He explained that his administration had established several committees aimed at exploring dialogue with Boko Haram, noting one occasion when the insurgents selected Buhari as their preferred negotiator. This nomination suggested to Jonathan that, had Buhari been in power earlier, a peaceful resolution might have been possible. However, the insurgency continues, showing the deep-rooted and multifaceted nature of the crisis.
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‎He recounted his five years in office battling the insurgency and expressed surprise that despite expectations, Buhari’s presidency did not bring a swift end to the violence.
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‎Jonathan emphasized that the Boko Haram issue goes beyond surface-level explanations like hunger.
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‎Jonathan stressed the importance of documentation and shared understanding of the conflict from all military and governmental actors involved. He remains hopeful for resolution, urging that Nigeria continue to reconsider its strategies against Boko Haram with openness to new ideas and cooperation.